IN AFRICA MIGRATION FOR DEVELOPMENT I. Introduction IN AFRICA inter alia, skills development, remittances and investment in countries of origin. It is evident that well-managed migration has the potential to yield significant benefits for both origin and destination countries. For instance labour migration has played an important role in filling labour needs in agriculture, construction and other sectors, thus contributing to the economic development of many African countries of destination. Moreover, the beneficial feed-back effects of migration, such as remittances, knowledge and skills transfer, and return migration, have in some cases made major contributions to economies of origin countries. However, mismanaged or unmanaged migration can have serious negative consequences for States’ and migrants’ well-being, including potential destabilising effects on national and regional security. Mismanaged migration can also lead to tensions between host communities and migrants, and can give rise to xenophobia, discrimination and other social pathologies. Many African countries have faced challenges in managing migration, due to a lack of sufficient data and the effective use of data, capacity, and policy coherence, among other factors. This has resulted in jeopardised inter-state relations; brain drain/brawn drain; increased irregular migration (human trafficking and migrant smuggling); increased tensions between host and migrant communities; threatened national and regional security; and dilapidated social services. The realities of migration in Africa, including its increasing importance and untapped potential, underscore the need for States to develop comprehensive policies on migration. Growing regional integration and the free movement of persons presents significant opportunities to enhance the development benefits of migration. However, they also require increased inter-State cooperation and enhanced data and security mechanisms that protect the rights of migrants and address transnational crime. Such efforts will require enhanced dialogue at sub-regional, regional and panAfrican levels. Given that the number of migrants is rising, and that this trend is likely to persist, the management of migration is one of the most critical challenges for States this century, and will require well planned migration policies, which are developed and implemented though a whole of government approach, as well as deepened cooperation with destination countries. 23