The issue of clandestine emigration from Senegal has sparked a reflection on the need for a responsible and organized migration policy. According to the Comité interministériel de lutte contre la migration irrégulière (CILMI), 9,554 Senegalese individuals arrived in the Canary Islands in 2024, compared to 4,918 in 2025, representing a 48.5% decrease. This trend highlights the complexities of migration and the need for a structured response.
The Senegalese economy faces significant challenges, including a 39.6% employment rate, 20% unemployment, and 34% of young people aged 15-24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Furthermore, 43.9% of young women fall into the NEET category. Meanwhile, the European labor market faces shortages in 430 professions, including healthcare, construction, and hospitality. This mismatch between labor demand and supply necessitates a reevaluation of migration policies.
The current situation often leads to Senegalese youth migrating without contracts, guarantees, or social protection. They may end up working in precarious conditions, which raises concerns about their welfare. A proposed national program for responsible professional mobility aims to transform this situation by creating organized and protected migration opportunities. This initiative seeks to prepare candidates for specific job openings and ensure their rights are protected.
The proposed program is built on five pillars, including identifying foreign market needs, providing targeted training, negotiating mobility contracts, promoting circular migration, and engaging the diaspora. The goal is to enable young Senegalese to migrate with dignity, secure better job opportunities, and contribute to their country's economic growth. This approach prioritizes the protection and value of these workers.
Key stakeholders, including governments, professional organizations, and recruitment companies, must collaborate to guarantee secure contracts, fair wages, and social protection for migrant workers. The program also aims to facilitate the return of migrant workers with experience, qualifications, and savings, which can stimulate entrepreneurship and investment in Senegal.
A three-year pilot program has been proposed, with specific objectives, including registering and orienting 15,000 young people, training and certifying 10,000, and securing 5,000 professional contracts. The program's success will depend on effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. This initiative has the potential to serve as a model for other countries facing similar migration challenges.
The Senegalese government is urged to prioritize the development of an organized migration policy that balances the needs of its youth with those of foreign labor markets. By doing so, the country can reduce clandestine migration, promote protected and dignified work opportunities, and foster economic growth. This approach requires a coordinated effort from governments, international organizations, and civil society to ensure its success.
Key points
- The Senegalese government should develop a national program for responsible professional mobility to protect young workers and promote organized migration.
