A bidjan, 20 September 2024 – This day in Abidjan, representatives of several Ivorian ministries and the Ivorian Embassy in Morocco met for the closing workshop of the Côte d’Ivoire Maroc Migration project (CIMAMIG). This event marks an important stage in bilateral cooperation efforts on migration issues between Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco. Organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Ivorian Government, the workshop led to the validation of three action matrixes aimed at strengthening migration cooperation.

The CIMAMIG project, designed to respond to the growing migration dynamics between the two countries, aims to foster closer collaboration in areas such as the fight against trafficking in persons, protection of migrant workers, and promotion of regular migration pathways, particularly for students.

Historically, Côte d’Ivoire has been a destination country for migrants in West Africa. However, migration dynamics have changed, turning the country into a land of origin and transit, in addition to its position as a destination. Since 2016, emigration by Ivorians has risen significantly, through both regular and irregular migration routes, to countries such as Tunisia and Morocco. Between January 2017 and August 2024, IOM facilitated the voluntary return of more than 15,000 Ivorian nationals. According to IOM’s Ivorian Migrant Profile Report (2021-2023), 92% of Ivorian migrants voluntarily returned to Côte d’Ivoire had left their country in search of better economic opportunities. Since January 2021, Morocco has emerged as the main country of departure for Ivorians assisted in voluntary return, with more than 2,262 returns organized by IOM, including 28 victims of trafficking in persons. 

Previously, in July 2024, an Ivorian delegation, made up of representatives of the Government and IOM Côte d’Ivoire, visited Morocco to exchange best practices in terms of regular migration and irregular migration prevention, particularly with respect to the fight against trafficking in persons. Discussions focused on the possibility of establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to combat trafficking in persons more effectively and improve South-South cooperation.

At the closing workshop on 20 September, participants presented the outcomes of the CIMAMIG project, shared lessons learned and made recommendations for the future. Key action points included the finalization of the MoU on the fight against trafficking in persons, revision of the cooperation agreement in the field of higher education, and preparations for the Côte d’Ivoire-Morocco Grand Joint Commission (Grande Commission Mixte Côte d’Ivoire-Maroc), scheduled for November 2024 in Abidjan.

In his speech, Mr David Preux, IOM Chief of Mission in Côte d’Ivoire, declared: “This workshop symbolizes the renewed commitment of both countries to strengthen their cooperation for effective migration management, with a particular focus on the protection of victims of trafficking, including female domestic workers, and socio-economic integration of Ivorian workers and students in Morocco.”

The event is part of the CIMAMIG project, funded by IOM Development Fund, and the Africa Regional Migration Programme, supported by the US State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).

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For more information, please contact:

Ms Emma MASABO, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Côte d’Ivoire, Email : emasabo@iom.int