The Blacks Ancestral Native Communities (BANC) Foundation has emphasized the need for African youths to acquire skill sets that attract decent jobs, sustainable livelihoods, and income-generating opportunities to discourage irregular migration. This was stated by Dr. Chibuzor Onyema, Founder of BANC and convener of the Anti-Irregular Migration Summit.
According to Dr. Onyema, the Africa Global Employability and Mobility Solutions (AfriGEMS) initiative was developed to support efforts to mitigate irregular migration by addressing economic realities that compel young people to seek opportunities outside their countries. AfriGEMS aims to equip young Africans with globally relevant industrial, technical, vocational, digital, and green skills.
The BANC Foundation's initiative focuses on practical training and apprenticeships linked to certification, employment, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Onyema noted that the model connects skills development, employability, and responsible human mobility, preparing participants for demonstrable competencies linked to apprenticeships, local employment, self-employment, and enterprise creation.
The AfriGEMS model seeks to create a practical route for participants to develop competencies that translate into employment, enterprise creation, and productive livelihoods. Dr. Onyema stated that the initiative's progression is from skills acquisition to occupational competence, apprenticeship or enterprise, employment, and sustainable livelihood, and ultimately regular mobility opportunities for those who choose to migrate.
Dr. Onyema emphasized that discouraging young people from leaving without addressing the economic conditions pushing them to migrate would not provide a sustainable solution. He said AfriGEMS aims to create "credible economic alternatives" at home while recognizing that migration itself is not the problem, but rather migration undertaken through unsafe and irregular channels.
The success of AfriGEMS depends on partnerships among governments, employers, training institutions, development partners, international organizations, and licensed employment agencies. Dr. Onyema called on the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant government agencies, universities, polytechnics, employers, and international organizations for a partnership on effective pathways to curb irregular migration and associated risks.
The BANC initiative builds on the foundation's earlier advocacy for addressing the root causes of irregular migration through skills development, economic opportunity, and safer migration pathways. The initiative aims to link employability with safe, orderly, and regular labor mobility rather than simply attempting to prevent migration.
Key points
- Skills acquisition alone cannot mitigate irregular migration.
- AfriGEMS aims to create credible economic alternatives at home.
- Partnerships among stakeholders are necessary for the success of AfriGEMS.
