Inter-regional migration in the global south: African migration to Latin America

Abstract

While the media predominantly focuses on African migration to Europe, some scholars have noticed that African migrants are also undertaking longer and riskier journeys in search of better opportunities in destinations such as Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. In the presence of such an increase of African migrants in the continent, this chapter examines the growing phenomenon of African migration to Latin America in various aspects. Firstly, it offers an African migration literature review and explains the reasons why African migrants are choosing Latin American host or transit countries, offering a refutation of classical "push-pull" models and instead, proposing that Africans migrate for a variety of reasons including personal aspirations. Secondly, it provides an empirical exploration of patterns of African asylum seekers and refugees in the continent. Finally, the chapter explores the socio-political reception of these migrants in three main receiving countries: Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. In so doing, the chapter aims to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of African migration to non-traditional destinations, and highlight avenues for further research in the field of African migration studies. It also emphasises the need to move away from simplistic explanations based on push-pull models and to recognise the agency and diversity of African migrants.