Migration policy framework for Africa and plan of action (2018 – 2030) Recommended strategies i. Assess the positive and negative impacts of migration on local/national/regional development outcomes. ii. Develop systematised registration mechanisms at embassies or consulates to record the number of nationals living abroad in order to provide them with the necessary assistance. iii. Ensure that migration and development is integrated into local/national/regional development frameworks, with a view to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. 9.2 Migration data and research 9.2.1 Collection and analysis of migration data Migration data is key to mainstreaming migration into policy and planning frameworks and development initiatives, and essential for developing effective, evidence based migration policies and programmes. The lack of reliable sexdisaggregated migration data is one of the principal obstacles to effective migration management, policy and cooperation. As in most parts of the world, the continuing need for systematic and comprehensive migration data gathering, analysis and exchange on all aspects of migration remains a critical challenge, both within and between African States. Investments in technology and related capacities for accurate and timely retrieval, analysis and dissemination; the need for compatible definitions of migrant categories; and the political will to engage in exchange of migration-related information are some of the components of effective migration information systems. Migration data can provide a solid basis for the development of national and regional migration management regimes. Data 70 collected through a national migration data information system should be used to develop (and update) a national migration profile, which is used to shape a national migration policy. A regional migration profile can be developed on the basis of national migration profiles, and should inform evidence based regional migration policy formulation and programming. Comparable data, including harmonised definitions of migration variables and data collection methods, is needed for this process. SDG 17 urges the need to…..Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development and requests in Target 17.18 to by 2020, enhance capacitybuilding support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high quality, timely and reliable data, disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts.