At the 2026 US-Africa Futures Summit in Addis Ababa, one participant kept returning to a practical question: when planners and policymakers map the future of US-Africa relations, how often do they include the migrant workers already building it across borders? Much of the summit conversation centred on economic transformation, development and demographic change. But for this participant, the question of who gets a seat at the table mattered most.
The reflections carry the weight of lived experience. They come from 18 years working as a migrant worker in the Gulf region, and from the voices of more than 23,000 migrant workers represented through the Global Migrant Workers Network, where the author serves as Interim International Coordinator. The summit itself, made possible by Humanity United and its organisers, partners and participants, was welcomed as a platform for meaningful conversations on migration, mobility and a shared US-Africa future, and as a space where the experiences of migrant workers could enter the discussions shaping the world.
Migration, as the author describes it, is not simply movement from one country to another. It is a journey of hope, sacrifice, resilience and uncertainty. For millions of African migrants, leaving home is driven by the desire to provide for families, pursue opportunities and build a better future. Behind every statistic sits a person with a family and a reason for leaving: a mother working to educate her children, a young person searching for opportunity, a worker whose labour sustains businesses and economies in both destination and origin countries. Many face exploitation, uncertainty and difficult choices. Those 18 years in the Gulf Cooperation Council region have shown how the same journey that opens doors for one person can leave another struggling for dignity and protection. The point, the author argues, is that migrant workers should not merely survive but thrive.
These themes came into focus during the summit session “US-Africa in Motion: Migration, Mobility and Demographic Change”, which brought perspectives on the continent’s mobility future into the conversation. Migration is often discussed through statistics, policies and economic contributions. Those conversations matter, the author notes, but they can overlook the human beings at their centre.
Meanwhile, the delivery challenges on the ground are growing. Among the most pressing facing African migrants is the difficulty of crossing international borders at all. Tougher immigration policies and complex visa requirements have made migration increasingly difficult, even for Africans seeking legitimate opportunities for work, education or family reunion. For many, obtaining a visa has become a long, expensive and uncertain process. Some face repeated rejections despite meeting requirements, often without refunds of application fees, while others are discouraged by financial and administrative barriers.
This is not merely a policy concern; it is a lived reality with operational consequences. Even those representing thousands of migrant workers, and invited to contribute to international discussions, are not immune. Visa challenges have prevented participation in important forums, raising questions about whose voices are heard when decisions about mobility and development are made. While countries have legitimate interests in managing their borders, the author argues, such measures should not undermine the dignity, rights and aspirations of people seeking lawful mobility.
By contrast, Africa’s development ambitions, including Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, offer real opportunities to advance integration and shared prosperity. But the author stresses that these ambitions must translate into practical opportunities and protections for people on the move. There is also, the author suggests, an opportunity for philanthropy to invest in the leadership and long-term sustainability of migrant-led organisations. People with lived experience deserve meaningful roles in setting priorities, influencing funding decisions and designing solutions, and migrant-led organisations should be recognised as partners in shaping solutions, not simply as recipients of support.
The broader argument is that the future of migration must be shaped with migrants, not simply for them. Their voices must be heard not only in conference rooms but in the policies, partnerships and investments that determine their futures. These reflections were shared in fuller form at https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/reflections-from-the-us-africa-futures-summit-in-addis-ababa/. If the US-Africa partnership is to be prosperous and meaningful, the author concludes, the future of its migrants is not a separate conversation. It is the future of Africa itself.