African Countries with the Most Immigrants

Top African Countries by Immigrant Population

Data based on 2020 estimates from UN DESA and IOM reports

Migration within Africa represents one of the most dynamic population movements on the continent, shaped by economic opportunities, conflict, environmental challenges, and historical ties between nations. While much global attention focuses on African migration to Europe and other continents, the reality is that the vast majority of African migrants move within the continent itself, seeking better opportunities and safety in neighboring countries.

Africa's migration landscape is characterized by significant intra-regional movement, with established migration corridors connecting countries that share borders, languages, and economic relationships. Understanding which African countries host the most immigrants provides crucial insights into regional stability, economic development, and the continent's approach to human mobility.

Leading Destination Countries

South Africa stands as the leading immigration destination on the continent, hosting approximately 2.9 million international migrants as of 2020. The country's relatively developed economy, infrastructure, and job market have long attracted migrants from across the region. The primary source countries for immigration to South Africa include Zimbabwe (accounting for 48.5 percent of immigrants), Mozambique (20 percent), Lesotho (11 percent), and Malawi (10 percent).

Côte d'Ivoire follows closely as the second-largest host country, with approximately 2.6 million international migrants. The West African nation has historically been a major destination for migrants from neighboring countries, particularly during its periods of economic growth and political stability. Key migration corridors include movements from Burkina Faso to Côte d'Ivoire and from Mali to Côte d'Ivoire, reflecting the country's position as an economic hub in the region.

Uganda ranks among the top three immigrant-hosting countries in Eastern Africa, with an estimated 1.7 million international migrants. Most refugees and migrants in Uganda originate from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, driven largely by ongoing conflicts and instability in those nations. Uganda's relatively open refugee policy has earned it international recognition as one of Africa's most welcoming countries for displaced populations.

Eastern Africa's Migration Hub

Eastern Africa hosts the highest number of international migrants among Africa's macro-regions, making it a crucial area for understanding continental migration patterns. Beyond Uganda, Ethiopia (1.1 million) and Kenya (1.1 million) also rank among the region's top immigrant destinations. These countries serve as havens for refugees fleeing conflict zones and as destinations for economic migrants seeking opportunities in relatively stable environments.

Important migration corridors in the region include movements from Uganda to Kenya, demonstrating how cross-border migration often follows established routes based on economic ties, cultural connections, and geographic proximity. The Horn of Africa, in particular, experiences complex migration flows driven by both forced displacement and economic factors.

Major Migration Corridors

Understanding immigration to African countries requires examining the bilateral corridors that channel population movements. The top migration corridors include Burkina Faso to Côte d'Ivoire, Zimbabwe to South Africa, Uganda to Kenya, Eritrea to Sudan, Mozambique to South Africa, Mali to Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda, and Lesotho to South Africa. These pathways reveal patterns shaped by colonial history, shared languages, economic disparities, and political instability.

Implications and Trends

The concentration of immigrants in countries like South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, and Uganda reflects broader patterns of regional economic development and political stability. These nations, despite facing their own challenges, offer relatively better opportunities and security compared to source countries experiencing conflict, economic collapse, or environmental crises.

Migration within Africa continues to be driven by structural factors including climate change, population growth, economic inequality, and political instability. As the continent's population continues to grow and environmental pressures intensify, understanding these migration patterns becomes increasingly important for policy development, humanitarian response, and regional cooperation.

The data on African immigration destinations challenges common misconceptions about African migration being primarily directed toward Europe or other continents. Instead, it reveals a continent where most migration occurs internally, with neighboring countries absorbing the majority of migrants and refugees, often with limited international support or resources.