The core countries of focus in this update are Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Depending on the quarterly trends and migration-related updates, more attention may be given to any of the countries over the rest.
In 2025, the Canary Islands were no longer the main point of arrival to Spain (17,941), with the Western Mediterranean Route recording higher arrivals (19,447). Year-on-year arrivals to the Canary Islands dropped by 62% in 2025; however, available data suggests that a rebound may be emerging, with arrivals tripling between the third and fourth quarters.
West African nationalities no longer feature among the top 10 countries of origin of arrivals to Italy. Irregular sea arrivals to Italy remained broadly stable in 2025 compared to 2024, following a sharp 58% decline between 2023 and 2024.
In October 2025, the number of recognised refugees in Côte d’Ivoire increased from 2,541 to 73,463, following the adoption of an unpublished interministerial decree in early July 2025. The measure granted refugee status to around 69,000 Burkinabe and 1,500 Malians who arrived after May 2021.
Mauritania saw rising migrant expulsions in 2025, with civil-society sources reporting between 18,000 and 20,000 removals in October-November alone. Mauritanian authorities reported 18,300 expulsions between January and July 2025.
Deportations from the US to Ghana continued, with the Ghanaian government confirming a bilateral agreement to receive deported migrants in exchange for the lifting of US visa restrictions, amid criticism that the deal bypasses parliamentary oversight and may expose migrants to human rights violations.
From 1 January, the US will expand its travel bans to additional African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone, while imposing partial restrictions on others. The ban has prompted reciprocal visa bans from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and drawn criticism over its humanitarian and discriminatory impacts.
The QMMUs offer an update on new trends and dynamics related to mixed migration and relevant policy developments in the region. These updates are based on a compilation of a wide range of secondary (data) sources, brought together within a regional framework and applying a mixed migration analytical lens. Similar QMMUs are available for all MMC regions
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Explore mixed migration dynamics and policy developments in a region, compiled through diverse secondary sources.
