Aboubacar - Guinea Conakry

Niger is both a country of origin, transit and destination for West African migrants who come to undertake commercial activities in the region, but also for those who want to go to Europe via Libya or Algeria. Unfortunately, for many of these migrants, the journey is often unsuccessful.

For more than 90% of migrants assisted by IOM, the desire to improve their living conditions and the search for better economic opportunities are the main reasons for their decision to migrate.

However, upon departure, little do they know about what expects them on this journey. For many, this migratory path leads to loss of income, excessive road expenses, human trafficking and abuse, etc.

They are often left without any means to make the journey back home so they remain stranded in Niger, Libya or Algeria in situations of distress.

We have put together a short series of video testimonies with migrants from IOM’s six transit centers in Niger as they await for their return to their countries of origin via IOM’s assisted voluntary return programme.