While the number of African migrants using the Atlantic route to the Canaries has decreased, arrivals in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta have risen sharply. The photo shows a group of migrants who overcame an eight-metre-high double fence. (Photos: Borja Suarez/Reuters; Reuters TV)

WEST AFRICA / SPAIN

Fewer African migrants are reaching the Canary Islands, but arrivals in Ceuta and the Balearics have increased sharply

May 2026: On Sunday, 10 May, a wooden boat carrying 125 people—116 men, three women, and six children—was found drifting off El Hierro, the smallest and westernmost of the Canary Islands, with engine failure and one deflated flotation tube. Thanks to the Spanish rescue services, all passengers survived.

That scene, repeated in various forms across the archipelago every few weeks, is now much less frequent than it used to be. In the first three months of 2026, only 1,640 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands, an 82 per cent decline compared to the same period in 2025, when over 9,400 made the crossing. For the entirety of 2025, arrivals on the Atlantic route decreased by 62 per cent, from nearly 47,000 in 2024 to just under 18,000. These figures mark a remarkable turnaround from what had become, by 2024, the busiest and deadliest irregular migration corridor into Europe. 

The cause is a network of bilateral agreements. Under the Atlantic-Canarias action plan, Spain provides patrol boats, satellite imagery, and training to Morocco and Mauritania, while both countries commit to dismantling smuggling networks and accepting return flights. EU funding worth €240 million to Mauritania, finalised in mid-2025, helps finance coastal radar upgrades and migrant reception centres to process those rescued at sea. Spain also signed circular migration accords with Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia in September 2024, providing legal pathways for temporary workers as part of the same set of arrangements.

The political logic is simple: money, surveillance equipment, and limited legal migration channels in exchange for African governments preventing their citizens, as well as those transiting through their territory, from reaching Europe. The model is now being promoted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as a template for broader EU engagement with Africa.

But the statistics hide as much as they reveal. Despite the significant decline in crossings, the NGO Caminando Fronteras recorded 3,090 deaths among those attempting to reach Spain in 2025, including 192 women and 437 minors, across 303 documented tragedies. The Canary route alone resulted in 1,906 fatalities. Helena Maleno, the organisation's research coordinator, pointed out that the lower death toll indicates a decrease in attempts, not a genuine improvement in safety conditions. Fewer crossings do not mean the crossing has become safer. 

The flows have not stopped; they have shifted. Arrivals in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta now exceed those in the Canary Islands, making it the main entry point into Spain in 2026. Arrivals in the Balearic Islands have increased by 23 per cent year on year. The profile of those arriving in the Balearics has also changed significantly: in 2023, 73 per cent came from Algeria; by 2025, that figure had dropped to 30 per cent, with 70 per cent now arriving from sub-Saharan Africa. This shift is a direct result of agreements with Mauritania, which have redirected departures eastward toward Algeria, where the journey to the Balearics is shorter and coastal surveillance is less vigilant. 

Increased patrols in Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco have also pushed departure points further south, towards The Gambia and Guinea, extending what is already one of the world's most dangerous sea crossings. The longer the route, the greater the risk of fatalities. The Atlantic passage from Senegal or Mauritania to the Canaries already spans up to 1,600 kilometres of open ocean in overcrowded wooden fishing boats, known as cayucos or pirogues, with no weather protection and limited fuel.

The nationalities making the crossing tell a story of regional conflict as much as economic desperation. According to UNHCR data, the UN Refugee Agency, the three most common nationalities arriving on the Canary route in 2025 were Malians at 39 per cent, Senegalese at 25 per cent, and Guineans at 12 per cent. Mali has been in the grip of political instability, military coups, and jihadist insurgency for over a decade. Between 70 and 80 per cent of those arriving by boat request asylum, citing conflict, persecution, or human rights violations in their home countries.

Further reading from The Immigrant Times: The sea route from Africa to Europe || Mauritania has been accused of human rights abuses ||

Sources: InfoMigrants; Spanish Interior Ministry; Morocco World News; Caminando Fronteras; UNHCR; Arab Weekly.

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BRITAIN / AFRICA

Britain slams the door on African students, thus risking its access to the continent’s mineral riches

March 2026: Britain's Labour government has invoked an unprecedented ‘emergency brake’ on student visas, raising questions about the long-term cost of rebuffing future African partners.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced on 4 March 2026 that student visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan would be suspended in what the Home Office described as an emergency response to surging asylum claims. Asylum applications by students from the four countries rose by more than 470 per cent between 2021 and 2025, according to official figures. Claims by students from Cameroon and Sudan spiked by more than 330 per cent over that period, the government said.

Mahmood defended the decision in bland terms: the visa system was being abused by students from those countries applying for asylum after entering Britain. The restrictions, introduced via an immigration rules change, will come into force on 26 March 2026.

Critics, however, have challenged the government's arguments. Immigration lawyer Sonia Lenegan noted that while the percentages look alarming, the absolute numbers tell a different story: just 120 people from Sudan on student visas claimed asylum in the year up to September 2025. For a country wracked by civil war, that figure may reflect genuine desperation rather than systematic abuse.

The decision also carries a political dimension. Britain's Labour government is trying to fend off attacks by the hard-right Reform UK party, which has surged in the polls on an anti-immigrant platform. Critics argue the policy has less to do with visa integrity than with domestic electoral pressure.

The broader consequences of Britain's tightening approach to overseas students were examined by The Immigrant Times in a piece on British immigration policy and national prosperity. Every international student who studies in Britain leaves with a personal connection to the country, its people, its culture and its values, the article argued. A future finance minister who studied in London is more likely to look favourably on British banks seeking to operate in their country, an observation that resonates sharply in the context of the Sudan ban. Every student turned away is a potential ambassador for Britain who will instead forge their deepest connections with another country.

That strategic cost looks particularly steep when set against the unfolding geopolitical contest across Africa. Africa holds an estimated 30 per cent of the world's known mineral deposits, including 85 per cent of the world's manganese, 80 per cent of platinum and chromium, and 47 per cent of cobalt, materials essential to electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, and defence technologies.

Producer countries are actively seeking to use strategic competition among buyers to negotiate greater value from their resources, and they have no shortage of suitors. China, the United States, and the Gulf states are all deepening their foothold on the continent. Europe has a strategic interest in supporting Africa-based processing and better regional integration of value chains, given its proximity to the continent and dependence on global supply chains for critical minerals.

Influence in Africa is built over decades, not years, through educational exchanges, professional networks, and the goodwill of a generation trained abroad. By barring Sudanese students today, Britain may find itself without allies or access tomorrow, precisely when the scramble for African resources reaches its peak.

The Home Secretary says she is restoring order to Britain's borders. She may, inadvertently, be surrendering Britain's seat at one of the most consequential tables of the 21st century.

Sources: UK Home Office (gov.uk); Al Jazeera; Electronic Immigration Network; Africanews; The Immigrant Times; Institute for Financial Affairs (Ethiopia); Nordic Africa Institute; ECCO Climate; Office for National Statistics; National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

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Further reading from The Immigrant Times: Britain’s immigration policy threatens the country’s future prosperity and international influence ||

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SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa unveils draft White Paper on immigration overhaul

January 2026: South Africa’s government has taken the first step toward what it describes as the most comprehensive reform of its immigration, citizenship and refugee protection frameworks in a generation, with the release of a draft revised White Paper. Published in the Government Gazette on 12 December 2025, the policy document is now open for public comment, signalling a shift toward a more economic and merit-centred approach to migration policy.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber says the draft White Paper aims to modernise the country’s immigration architecture, enhance compliance and national security, improve service delivery, and support economic development. It responds to long-standing concerns that the current system, heavily weighted toward family-based and humanitarian visas, has failed to attract sufficient economic migrants and skills that align with national priorities.

A central plank of the proposed reforms is a move toward merit-based pathways for both long-term residence and citizenship. Under the draft, permanent residence and naturalisation would no longer be awarded automatically after a set period of residence. Instead, a points-based system would assess applicants on criteria such as skills, investment, job creation and other contributions to the South African economy and society, aligning the country’s framework with systems used in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

The draft also calls for a rationalisation and expansion of visa categories. A new Skilled Worker Visa would replace the current Critical Skills and General Work visas, offering a single employment-based route at various skill levels, while employers would sponsor foreign workers. Additional proposed categories include a Start-Up Visa for entrepreneurs, an Investment Visa with defined capital and job-creation thresholds, Sectoral Work Visas tailored to specific industries and a Sports and Arts Visa to draw talent in creative and sporting sectors.

One high-profile change under consideration would tighten eligibility for retirement visas, which have previously been granted without an age threshold. Government data shows a significant number of applicants are under 55, and evidence suggests some later take up work without proper employment authorisation. The draft proposes a minimum age requirement and higher financial criteria intended to reserve the category for genuine retirees.

Beyond visas, the White Paper proposes a stronger fiscal and administrative framework. Amendments could enable the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to tax all immigrants, regardless of status, and banks to monitor accounts, while digital measures such as the Electronic Travel Authorisation and an Intelligent Population Register aim to tighten compliance and border controls.

Public reaction to the proposals has been mixed. Supporters argue that aligning migration policy with economic needs could help drive growth and fill skills gaps, while critics warn that overly strict rules might deter investment or talent if poorly implemented.

Further reading from The Immigrant Times: Millions of migrants live and work in South Africa, but xenophobia is on the rise ||

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WORLD

Migration: A story of opportunity, human progress and shared development

A statement by the International Organisation for Migration

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December 2025:  Each year, on 18 December, the world observes International Migrants Day (IMD). To mark the occasion, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), an UN-related organisation, is reaffirming migration as a story of opportunity, human progress, and shared development and calling for stronger, more robust migration systems that protect people on the move and support the communities that welcome them.

The day recognises the contributions of migrants worldwide and underscores the importance of protecting their rights and dignity. In 2025, the Day is marked under the theme My Great Story: Cultures and Development, highlighting how human mobility enriches societies, drives economic growth, and strengthens connections across communities.

“Migration is woven into the lives of families and communities everywhere. It is a story of courage, determination, and the ties that bind us across borders,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Today, we honour the people who set out in search of safety and opportunity and call for global solidarity in shaping fair and inclusive systems that protect them. When migration is managed with dignity and purpose, it benefits everyone.”

Every migrant carries a personal story of hope, courage, and the desire for a better life. When systems protect people along their journey, those stories can unfold safely. Today, an estimated 304 million people, or nearly 4 per cent of the global population, live outside their country of birth. This number has grown steadily as people move for work, safety, education, and family.

Migrants contribute in many ways to the communities where they live and work, bringing skills, creativity, and entrepreneurship that strengthen local economies. Labour migrants support essential sectors including healthcare, construction, agriculture, and technology, providing vital assistance in countries with aging populations.

Their earnings also sustain families back home. In 2024, migrants sent an estimated USD 905 billion in international remittances, most of which went to middle and low-income countries. These transfers help households cover food, education, and medical care and in many cases exceed the value of foreign aid and investment flows. 

Beyond these financial contributions, migrants also enrich the social and cultural fabric of communities. They carry new ideas, foster cultural exchange, build business networks, and spark innovation, benefiting both their countries of origin and the places where they settle.

Yet migration is shaped by growing challenges. By the end of 2024, 83.4 million people were internally displaced due to conflict, violence, and disasters, while new emergencies continued to push communities beyond their coping capacity. 

While most migration takes place safely and regularly, many people still face serious risks when crossing borders, particularly where regular pathways are limited. People who must flee suddenly often have few options and may turn to irregular routes. These journeys can involve dangerous sea and desert crossings, exploitation, and limited access to assistance and protection. The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the deadliest migration routes, with more than 33,000 recorded deaths since 2014.

Every migrant’s journey is different, but the need for safety and dignity is universal. By strengthening systems that support people at every stage of mobility, countries can unlock the developmental dividends of migration and uphold the rights and well-being of every person on the move.

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EUROPE / AFRICA

EU-funded return programme for African migrants faces scrutiny over unfulfilled promises

Thousands of Africans returned home through the EU programme. Many say they’ve been abandoned

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November 2025: A recent investigation by the Associated Press (AP) has raised questions about how effectively a European Union–funded migration programme, administered by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), is helping Africans who return home after failed or interrupted journeys to Europe.

Between 2022 and 2025, the IOM says it repatriated more than 100,000 migrants from North Africa and Niger to their home countries under the EU-financed initiative, with a reported budget of around US$380 million. The programme’s stated goal is to offer voluntary return and reintegration, providing returnees with counselling, job training, medical care, and start-up grants to help them rebuild their lives.

According to the IOM, about 90,000 returnees have begun the reintegration process, and roughly 60,000 have “completed” it. The organisation says 58 per cent of the total funding goes directly to post-return assistance and that delays in disbursement or delivery stem from logistical and documentation hurdles.

But AP reporters who interviewed returnees in Guinea, Gambia, and other sub-Saharan countries found many migrants who said the promised support never arrived. Several described receiving only brief orientation sessions or contact details, but no tangible follow-up, funding, or employment opportunities.

“We were told there would be help to start small businesses, but nothing came,” one returnee told AP. “Now we’re back where we started.”

Critics, including migration policy researchers and European auditors, argue that the program suffers from weak oversight and poor transparency. A report from the European Court of Auditors previously found that earlier phases of EU-funded return programs failed to demonstrate measurable impact or sustainable reintegration.

The European Union frames the initiative as part of a broader migration-management strategy designed to curb irregular crossings into Europe. According to EU data cited by AP, such crossings in the first eight months of 2025 were down roughly 20 per cent compared to the previous year.

Supporters of the programme say it provides safe, voluntary alternatives to dangerous sea journeys and helps migrants trapped in exploitative or unstable situations in Libya, Niger, and beyond. The IOM has acknowledged delays in the delivery of assistance and says it is reviewing cases in which migrants claim they were left without the promised aid.

However, the AP report suggests that while the EU’s approach may be effective in reducing migration numbers, it may fall short in ensuring long-term reintegration and dignity for returnees, a key test of whether such programmes are humanitarian or primarily deterrent in nature.

As migration pressures persist and Europe’s political debate intensifies, the question remains whether programs like this can truly deliver on both humanitarian and policy goals, or if, as many returnees argue, they risk becoming symbolic gestures rather than sustainable solutions.

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Further reading: Mauritania accused of human rights abuse against African migrants || Dafur refugee crisis ||

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