News
The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is pleased to announce a new grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, awarded through the Foundation’s Movements of People and Non-State Actors initiative. The three-year research and policy engagement initiative, “Inclusive Economic Integration for Migrant and Displaced African Youth: Learning from East and West Africa,” will be implemented in partnership with the African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC).
The project will generate evidence on how governments, private sector actors, civil society organisations and communities can better support the economic integration of migrant and displaced youth across East and West Africa — with particular emphasis on expanding access to employment, entrepreneurship and skills opportunities for young people on the move. It will also document promising practices that can be adapted and replicated across countries and regions.
AFIDEP’s Executive Director, Dr Eliya Zulu, said: “Migration and displacement are increasingly central to Africa’s development trajectory. Yet too little evidence exists on how policies and programmes can effectively support young people to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to national development. This project will generate practical, policy-relevant evidence to help governments and partners strengthen economic inclusion and improve outcomes for migrant and displaced youth.”
The project will be led by a dedicated AFIDEP team drawing on the institute’s expertise in demographic research. Dr Naa Dodua Dodoo, AFIDEP’s Director of Human Capital Development and Theme Lead, Population Dynamics and Demographic Dividend, and the project’s Principal Investigator, noted that the project comes at a critical moment for Africa’s development agenda, as governments and partners seek practical solutions to harness the potential of youth mobility while protecting the rights and wellbeing of young people affected by migration and displacement.
AMADPOC welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to deepen regional evidence and policy dialogue on migration governance, youth employment and economic inclusion. Its Executive Director, Dr Linda Adhiambo Oucho, said: “Effective migration governance requires evidence that speaks not only to policy design but also to implementation realities. Through this partnership, we aim to generate insights that help stakeholders understand how young migrants and displaced populations navigate economic opportunities, and what support systems are most effective in enabling their success.”
The initiative reflects AFIDEP’s commitment to strengthening the use of evidence in policy and practice across Africa, and AMADPOC’s leadership in migration research, policy analysis and regional engagement. Together, the two organisations will work with stakeholders to ensure that emerging evidence translates into more inclusive, practical and sustainable approaches to youth economic integration.
About AFIDEP
The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute that works to bridge the gaps between research, policy and practice to advance sustainable development in Africa.
About AMADPOC
The African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC) is an African policy and research organisation dedicated to advancing migration and development policy through research, dialogue, capacity strengthening and technical support.
About the Andrew Carnegie Foundation
The Andrew Carnegie Foundation supports work that advances knowledge and understanding, expands opportunity and contributes to a more peaceful world.