Migration is as old as humanity itself. Throughout history, people have migrated in search of better lives, to flee conflict or seek safety, or simply to find new opportunities. What’s often overlooked is that most migration is regular, safe, and well-organized, and usually happens within regions, driven by employment and economic opportunities. Yet, public debates and media headlines tend to focus on irregular migration, painting a limited picture. Today, migrations narratives are increasingly shaped by misinformation and politicization, which obscure the complex realities and human stories behind the movement of people. The global landscape is marked by multiple crises. Conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Yemen, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar continue to fuel displacement. At the same time, climate- and weather-related disasters, in countries such as Pakistan, the Philippines, China, India, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Colombia, have forced millions to leave their homes (McAuliffe and Oucho, 2024). According to the United Nations, around 281 million people are international migrants, representing 3.6% of the world’s population. Meanwhile, displacement continues to surge in 2022, the global number of forcibly displaced people reached 117 million, including 71.2 million internally displaced persons. The number of asylum-seekers also rose sharply, from 4.1 million in 2020 to 5.4 million in 2022, an increase of over 30% (McAuliffe and Oucho, 2024).

Migration is not just a statistic; it’s a story of resilience, adaptation, and humanity.

How can we promote a more balanced and fact-based conversation about migration, one that recognizes both its challenges and its contributions?

Reference McAuliffe, M. and L.A. Oucho (eds.), 2024. World Migration Report 2024. International Organization for Migration (IOM), Geneva

Indeed, this initiative will help policy makers in designing policies and decision evidence based. Reliable data is crucial to understand the root causes of multidimensional poverty and to fight it.

Looking forward to the summit, with the hope that it will move beyond conversation to concrete implementation, helping to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

SHWEHDY Amged B, Libya, SRO-NA thank you for sharing this insightful piece with us.
I cannot agree more with you on the importance of building resilience. So, while Africa is embracing this digital technology, it should build the human capital and institutional infrastructure necessary to withstand external and internal shocks. In my opinion, we as a community of fellows have to keep emphasizing on it in our research works, talks and actions through initiatives whenever we have opportunity to meet with decisionmakers. The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) can use its advisory and convening role to help member states build resilient digital systems through policy guidance and capacity building. ECA’s upcoming report on frontier technologies will be a valuable resource for countries to understand emerging trends and integrate resilience-by-design. By combining research with training and regional collaboration, ECA can support African governments in ensuring uninterrupted public services even during crises.

Congratulations on your publication. This is a timely topic since E-Government can help reduce corruption, improve efficiency in African countries and domestic resource mobilization. Regarding your questions : • How is e-governance evolving in your respective countries or institutions? I think where in my resident country, E-Government is on good track because many services are now digitalized from school fees to official results and many other services. • Have you had experience publishing your own work, whether through conferences, journals, or policy papers? Do share it. Yes I published a couple of papers in peer-reviewed journals • What challenges or lessons have you encountered in getting your work published and shared? The challenges are the high volume of rejection which is sometime discouraging. The lessons is to persevere and keep improving

Traffic Management Solutions: Côte d’Ivoire has actively embraced digitalization to modernize its transport system. With the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the country has upgraded its traffic management infrastructure by installing smart traffic lights equipped with sensors. These sensors monitor real-time vehicle flow and automatically adjust signal timings, helping to reduce congestion and minimize the risk of accidents at busy intersections. In addition, the government has deployed over 200 surveillance and traffic cameras across major intersections and expressways. These cameras not only enhance road safety by monitoring traffic violations but also detect vehicle speeds—enabling more effective enforcement of speed limits and contributing to a safer and more efficient urban transport network. Mobility Services (e.g., Uber): over ther we has Yango which is the most used. Besides, we also have Uber, Heetch, Bolt, inDrive Moya Ride. Even though for the rest I don't really know, I think efforts have been made in these areas as well. Côte d’Ivoire is not my origin country but my resident country.

Empowerment to me is the ability for individuals, groups, or communities to gain control over their lives, make informed decisions, and access the resources and opportunities needed to achieve their full potential. In other words, the freedom to own their lives, choices and decisions.

SOUMTANG BIME Valentine, Cameroon, DES-P said in Vulnerability to climate change:

I guys, Africa accounts for approximately 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Sub-Saharan Africa contributes just 1.9% of global emissions, with South Africa alone responsible for 1.3%. The remaining 48 countries combined contribute only 0.6% consistent with the UNFCCC and UNEP.

Moreover, According to the Global Center on Adaptation (2024), Africa receives only 20% of global adaptation finance flows (about $13 billion annually) and just 18% of the funding needed for climate change mitigation, despite being one of the regions most severely affected.

In the context of shrinking global climate finance, how can African countries—who contribute the least to global emissions but bear the highest climate-related costs—secure the necessary resources for natural resource management and adaptation, especially given the failure of the 'polluter-pays' principle in practice?

African governments can enhance domestic resource mobilization by integrating climate priorities into national and subnational budgets, ensuring funds are allocated for adaptation and resilience. Issuing green bonds can attract investors seeking environmentally responsible opportunities, financing renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and infrastructure projects. Implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, such as taxes or cap-and-trade systems, can generate revenue while incentivizing lower emissions. Strengthening fiscal policies to align with climate goals ensures long-term sustainability. Regional initiatives like the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) offer platforms for pooled funding and shared expertise. Together, these strategies reduce reliance on uncertain external financing and build climate resilience from within.

Remittances (money sent by the diaspora or migrants to their home countries) play a crucial role in many African economies. They serve as a stable and often growing source of foreign income, sometimes surpassing foreign direct investment and official development assistance. For countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal, remittances contribute significantly to national GDP.

At the household level, remittances improve living standards by helping families cover basic needs such as food, education, healthcare, and housing. They also provide a form of social insurance during economic downturns or crises. In rural areas especially, these funds can reduce poverty and promote financial inclusion by encouraging the use of banking and mobile money services.

Beyond household support, remittances can have broader developmental impacts. They can boost local economies by increasing consumption, supporting small businesses, and fostering entrepreneurship. However, their potential is often underutilized due to high transfer costs, lack of financial literacy, and limited investment channels.

Given the significant role remittances play in African economies, is it advisable for governments to impose taxes on diaspora contributions, or would such a policy risk undermining their developmental impact

ABNER Martha,Namibia,DES-PS said in Precision Agriculture:

AI in agriculture is promising, but how do we ensure rural farmers can access and use these tools effectively?

We can ensure that rural farmers effectively access and utilize modern agricultural tools through targeted capacity building and hands-on training. By equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills, we empower farmers to make informed decisions and improve productivity. Training programs tailored to their specific needs help bridge the gap between innovation and practical application.

Furthermore, ongoing support and mentorship can reinforce learning and encourage adoption of new techniques. Collaborating with local leaders and agricultural extension workers enhances the relevance and impact of these efforts. Ultimately, capacity building not only boosts farm efficiency but also strengthens rural livelihoods and food security.

Thank you for sharing these insightful imputation techniques. This is a valuable contribution for practitioners working with panel data in Stata. That said, it's important to emphasize that users should not only learn how to apply these techniques, but also clearly understand when and why they are appropriate, as well as the assumptions that underlie them.

Every imputation method, whether simple or advanced, alters the original dataset to some extent. While imputation is intended to mitigate the negative impacts of missing data, it also introduces new sources of uncertainty. If applied carelessly or without checking assumptions, imputation can result in biased estimates, misleading inferences, or spurious relationships in the data.

Africa should focus on quality education in order to equip the young people with skills for modern jobs or skills to create their own business. Governments should put effort in creating good institutional, political, economic and social environment to empower our youth. I think all depends on political will.