February 20, 2025 (Mombasa, Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has successfully conducted the 6th Regional Migration Data Technical Working Group Workshop to enhance the harmonization, production, and utilization of migration and displacement data in the IGAD region.
The four-day workshop brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from IGAD Member States, officials from Morocco, and regional and international organizations such as the African Union Commission (AUC/STATAFRIC), East African Community (EAC), Economic Commission of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), International Data Alliance on Children on the Move (IDAC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Statistics Sweden (SCB), Statistics Norway, and GIZ.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, Mr. Charles Ogolla, Head of IGAD Statistics, emphasized IGAD’s commitment to strengthening the regional statistical system through the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics. He highlighted the need for a unified approach among governments, development partners, and regional bodies to produce and utilize quality migration data effectively.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Macdonald George Obudho, Director General of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Mr. Awes Abdulkadir, underscored Kenya’s commitment to improving migration governance. He stressed that optimizing production, harmonizing concepts and methods, and enhancing coordination at national, regional, and continental levels are critical to increasing the availability and awareness of migration and displacement statistics.
Representing the African Union Commission, Mr. Brian Okengo noted that institutions such as the Migration Research Centre in Mali, the Migration Observatory in Morocco, and the Continental Operational Centre for Migration Data and STATAFRIC will collaborate with AU structures to enhance migration statistics across Africa.
Senior Advisor Asa Vernby from Statistics Sweden commended IGAD and its Member States for their continuous efforts in advancing migration statistics, while Mr. Khaled Mohamed of GIZ emphasized the importance of such workshops in streamlining priorities and processes within the technical working group.
Speaking on behalf of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mr. Ibañez Daniel reaffirmed the commitment of IGAD, its Member States, and key national institutions—including National Statistical Offices—to strengthening migration and displacement data. He also expressed hope that the workshop’s outcomes will contribute to discussions at the upcoming 4th African School on Migration Statistics in March in Kigali, Rwanda, which will focus on Forced Displacement and Statelessness Statistics.
Mr. Ephrem Getnet, Chief Technical Advisor at ILO, emphasized ILO’s collaboration with IGAD and other development partners to improve labour migration and labour market data under the IGAD-ILO Free Movement of Persons and Transhumance Project, financed by the European Union. He reiterated ILO’s commitment to supporting IGAD and its Member States in advancing migration and labour statistics.
A representative of Djibouti, the IGAD Chair, also addressed participants, reaffirming the commitment of IGAD Member States to improving migration governance and data collection.
The workshop reviewed progress on migration statistics across IGAD Member States, presented the findings of the second edition of the IGAD Migration Statistics Report, and facilitated experience-sharing on data management strategies. Participants also developed actionable plans to enhance regional migration and displacement data collection.
A key outcome was the roadmap for the third edition of the IGAD Migration Statistics Report, along with recommendations for improving the collection and management of migration and displacement data in the region.
IGAD formally established the Migration Data Technical Working Group in 2021 to strengthen regional coordination and improve the quality of migration statistics. This latest workshop marks another milestone in IGAD’s ongoing efforts to enhance data-driven policymaking in migration governance.
