As 2026 reaches its midpoint, South Africa is navigating its most significant migration inflection point in years. Caught between a surge in undocumented arrivals and rising domestic social tensions, the government has launched a massive, coordinated regional effort to rewrite the rules of movement in Southern Africa
Africa does not have a single migration story. It has five overlapping mobility systems, each shaped by its own economic logic, demographic pressures and political realities. Understanding them is essential to understanding why South Africa occupies a unique position in Africa’s migration landscape
Although migration is often spoken about as though it is one issue, Africa is home to five distinct migration systems
Region Primary Driver What movement looks like
North Africa Transit toward Europe People are constantly on the move through the region, often passing through multiple countries as part of longer journeys toward Europe, with different types of migration happening at the same time along the same routes
West Africa Economic opportunity People move back and forth across borders as part of everyday working life, often following seasonal jobs or trading opportunities and regularly returning home
Central Africa Conflict and displacement People are often forced to leave their homes suddenly because of conflict or instability, with movement driven by safety rather than choice
Horn of Africa Cycles of conflict People are repeatedly displaced over time, sometimes moving more than once as conflict and humanitarian crises continue or re-emerge
Southern Africa Economic opportunity People move mainly in search of work, often following established labour routes into South Africa where jobs and income opportunities are concentrated
Southern Africa presents a different picture. It is the continent’s principal economic absorption zone, defined not by transit or conflict, but by economic opportunity. As the region’s most industrialised economy, South Africa attracts between 2.3 and 3 million foreign-born residents, drawing workers from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Lesotho through longstanding labour migration patterns. Many migrate in search of employment and improved economic prospects that their home economies cannot yet provide.
It is within this context that South Africa’s migration management must be understood. The country receives more migrants than any other destination in Eastern and Southern Africa, not simply because of geography, but because it is the region’s largest economic hub. Managing migration at this scale, while ensuring that systems remain lawful, orderly and humane, remains one of the most significant governance challenges
In recent months, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a more comprehensive approach to migration management, combining strengthened border enforcement with increased regional diplomacy. Speaking on the issue, the President reaffirmed that South Africa would “continue to engage other countries… to forge a broader response to migration challenges across our region and the continent.”
Rather than relying on enforcement alone, the strategy places greater emphasis on regional cooperation and shared responsibility
The countries working with South Africa to manage migration
The reality of this policy shift is most visible at the borders. In just two weeks this June, over 8,000 individuals were processed through the Beitbridge crossing. A testament to both the backlog of undocumented movement and the sudden, immense operational capacity of the Border Management Authority
By late June 2026, seven countries had formally engaged South Africa to facilitate the return of their nationals. In each case, the country of origin assumed primary responsibility for transport and logistics, while South Africa managed identity verification, legal processing and humanitarian support.
In an ongoing process:
• Malawi: 15,162 nationals processed for deportation and repatriation by 25 June, the largest single operation. Processing relocated from KwaZulu-Natal to a new Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre outside Musina, with UNHCR, IOM, the Red Cross, and Save the Children engaged alongside Malawi’s Consul General
• Zimbabwe: 3 000 nationals processed through Beitbridge with Zimbabwean mission officials embedded at the port to verify identities and issue travel documents
• Ghana: approximately 1,000 nationals repatriated late May. Identities verified jointly with Ghana’s High Commission; roughly half travelled on valid passports, half on Emergency Travel Certificates
• Nigeria: approximately 580 nationals formally processed; first flight of 268 departed on 11 June. South Africa waived overstay penalties for voluntary returnees. A further 1,094 Nigerians registered interest, with joint screening underway across all nine provinces
• Mozambique: 700+ nationals repatriated. Embassy-organised buses transported nationals from Cape Town to Lebombo, where BMA and SAPS conducted biometric fingerprint verification. Those without documents formally deported under the Immigration Act; those with valid passports permitted lawful exit
• Kenya and DRC: formal repatriation requests submitted to the IMC; logistics not yet initiated
Between 12 and 24 June alone, 8,230 persons were processed through Beitbridge in under two weeks. This figure captures both the scale of undocumented migration accumulated over years of under-relise when required
Key practical challenges include undocumented status and identity verification. Many migrants lack valid visas or passports. In recent repatriations, most returnees were undocumented. This makes it very hard for border authorities to verify where someone belongs, delaying the process
The willingness of seven governments to engage directly, issue emergency documentation, organise transport, and embed officials in South African processing centres reflects a shared recognition that managing migration in Southern Africa is a regional responsibility
Global Context: Migration as a Worldwide Challenge
South Africa’s experience mirrors developments across much of the world. According to the United Nations, more than 280 million international migrants live outside their country of birth, while over 120 million people have been forcibly displaced by conflict, persecution or disaster
Governments across every region increasingly rely on international cooperation to manage migration
• U.S. has negotiated bilateral agreements with countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia to facilitate returns and strengthen migration management
• Europe has likewise externalised migration management. The EU pays Turkey and North African countries to accept asylum-seekers and tighten their borders, and has deals for returns with Libya, Tunisia and others. Regional agreements coordinate asylum processing and labour movement
• In Asia, wealthier Gulf states increasingly negotiate with African and Asian governments to repatriate nationals or protect migrant workers
In this global context, South Africa’s situation is not unique. Many countries face the same balancing act: securing borders and meeting humanitarian obligations. For South Africa, the long-term solution extends beyond border management alone. Strengthening bilateral agreements, improving border technology and expanding cooperation with neighbouring states remain essential. Equally important is addressing the conditions that drive migration in the first place through economic growth, regional stability and greater opportunities across the continent.
Ultimately, effective migration management depends on stronger borders, stronger partnerships and stronger economies across the continent. It is only by addressing both the movement of people and the conditions that drive migration that Africa can build a more orderly, secure and prosperous future
