Spotlight on African graduates and labour market insertion: EMMIR attends EMSI Nairobi Regional Seminar

Earlier this month, the European Commission's Erasmus Mundus Support Initiative (EMSI) hosted its second regional seminar, this time in Nairobi, Kenya, which focused on a vital theme: the labour market insertion of African graduates from Erasmus Mundus programmes.

Held at Strathmore University on 2-3 April 2025, the hybrid event brought together over 60 participants, including EM project representatives, industry partners, alumni, policymakers, and researchers. The goal was to reflect on how Erasmus Mundus (EM) programmes can enhance employability, better align with local labour market needs, and foster sustainable EU-Africa partnerships in higher education.

Representatives from the following Erasmus Mundus projects were represented:

• CCD–STeDe

• DAFM

• EMGS

• EMMA

• EMMIR

• EPOG+

• EIMAS

• EU4M

• HumanResponse

• TPTI

• TROPIMUNDO

EMMIR was represented at the seminar by Prof. Dr. Roberts K. Muriisa from our partner institution Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda. His presentation provided a deep dive into the experiences of African students in the European Master in Migration and Intercultural Relations (EMMIR), particularly how they navigate academic and career trajectories post-graduation.

Participation of African students in the EMMIR programme

Since the programme’s inception in 2011, 50 African students have enrolled in EMMIR from across the continent—including Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and more. Of these, 33 have graduated as of Edition 10, with most others currently pursuing their degrees.

These graduates are now working across the globe, including:

• NGOs and non-profits (e.g. Chad, Belgium, Ethiopia, South Africa)

• International organisations (e.g. ICRC, IOM, UNHCR, WFP)

• Academia and research (notably in Ethiopia, Germany, and the UK)

• Private sector roles in Kenya, Malawi, and the U.S.

• A growing number are also returning to work in Africa; in Ghana, DRC, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and beyond.

Challenges and opportunities for African students and graduates

The session explored systemic barriers African students and graduates face in Erasmus Mundus and other international study programmes, such as:

• Visa and residence permit issues post-study in Europe

• Language requirements in host countries despite English-medium programmes

• Limited professional networks in Europe

• Discrimination and structural racism in hiring practices

• Limited mental health support, especially with intercultural understanding

• Barriers to PhD pathways, particularly unpaid opportunities in some countries

Despite these barriers, the Nairobi seminar also emphasized the opportunities on the horizon. Participants highlighted a growing demand for migration scholars, decolonial researchers, and professionals with cross-cultural experience—particularly in global institutions and policy spaces.

African EMMIR graduates bring vital knowledge systems rooted in lived experience and traditional philosophies, which can deeply enrich both research and policy. Many are also leveraging new opportunities, such as:

• Paid PhD positions in countries like the Netherlands and Norway

• Remote and hybrid roles in international organisations, allowing them to stay based in Africa while contributing globally

• National migration policy initiatives that create opportunities for research, public service, and governance

• Alumni networks, such as the one fostered through EMMIR, that support peer mentoring, job referrals, and professional development

The role of programmes like EMMIR

The seminar also included contributions from Erasmus Mundus alumni who are now successful employers, entrepreneurs, and agents of economic and social change across Africa, about their insights as ambassadors between academia and the world of work.

The seminar in Nairobi reaffirmed a key belief at the heart of the EMMIR programme: that higher education must be multidisciplinary, diverse, locally relevant, and socially engaged. Supporting African students through and beyond their studies is not just about access to education; it’s about ensuring long-term inclusion, impact, and mobility.

As a programme that links institutions across Europe, Africa, and Asia, EMMIR is proud to be part of the effort to strengthen educational partnerships.

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This blog post will be updated to include a link to a report from the seminar once it has been published by the organizers.