Several African nations, including Kenya, are adopting labor migration as a strategy to address unemployment and boost economic growth. With a rapidly expanding workforce and limited job opportunities, Kenya aims to send one million workers abroad annually to countries in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
The initiative mirrors strategies used by Asian nations like the Philippines and Bangladesh, where remittances from overseas workers significantly contribute to national economies. Kenya’s government is facilitating job fairs, easing passport applications, and negotiating agreements to streamline labor export. Ethiopia and Tanzania are also implementing similar programs.
However, the plan faces challenges. Rising anti-immigrant sentiments in Germany and other host countries could threaten agreements. Critics in Kenya argue that the migration policy risks depleting local industries of skilled workers, particularly in healthcare, where the country already faces a shortage. Reports of mistreatment of African workers abroad further raise concerns.
Despite political and logistical hurdles, many job seekers remain hopeful, seeing overseas work as a necessary opportunity in the absence of domestic job prospects.