📋 Tender Overview
In West Africa (WA), migration is predominantly intraregional. Despite its crucial role in development, it remains poorly regulated. Most migrant workers work in the informal sector, exposed to abuse and exploitation. Switzerland is committed to safer, more inclusive, and fairer migration within the region, ensuring that migration contributes to the region's prosperity.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
West Africa
Migration and Development
Inclusive economic Development
Gender Equality
nothemedefined
Diaspora for development
Labour migration
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships)
SME development
Employment creation
Women’s equality organisations and institutions
01.08.2025 - 31.07.2029
CHF 6’850’000
The project in brief
Background West Africa is characterized by high intra-regional mobility: 70 to 80% of original migrants remain there.1 Historically a driver of economic, social, and cultural development, this migration is facilitated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) free movement agreement. However, its implementation remains limited, and labor migration mainly takes place informally. Recruitment and employment lack regulation, exposing migrant workers to precarious conditions, without social protection or access to basic services. Women, nearly half of migrant workers, often young and low-skilled, are particularly vulnerable. National and regional migration policies, still lacking sensitivity to gender and the reality of the informal market, struggle to address these challenges. To fully contribute to sustainable development, labor migration management must guarantee workers' rights, promote social inclusion, and rely on coherent regional approaches.
Objectives Contribute to sustainable socio-economic development in West Africa through the promotion of safe and regular labor migration, anchored in human rights and gender-sensitive.
Target groups - Migrants, including women, diasporas, as well as local communities. - Government institutions responsible for migration policies, social protection and economic development. - Civil society organizations, migrant workers' associations, especially migrant women, trade unions, community groups and diaspora networks. - Private sector, including employers, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). - Regional institutions (ECOWAS).
Medium-term outcomes • Prosperity: The local economy is strengthened through diaspora support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurship and the creation of decent jobs; migrant-sensitive due diligence is strengthened. • Rights: Migrant workers fully enjoy their human rights. • Governance: Migration policies are strengthened, using a gender-sensitive approach based on human rights.
Results Expected results: - Capacity building of institutions, migrant organizations and the private sector for inclusive, rights-respecting and gender-sensitive migration governance. - Implementati
