Kenya is launching one of its most ambitious employment initiatives—exporting skilled and unskilled labour to overseas markets. With over a million job seekers entering the workforce annually but only a fraction securing employment, the government is pushing for international placements in countries facing labour shortages.
Seeking opportunities abroad
Hundreds of hopeful job seekers have been attending recruitment fairs across the country, from provincial towns to major cities, eager to secure work abroad. These fairs, part of the government’s structured labour export strategy, showcase opportunities in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
‘There are no job opportunities here, so we are left with no option but to go outside Kenya,’ Lydia Mukii, a 27-year-old clinical psychologist told Reuters at a recent job fair in Machakos. Recruiters there promoted teaching positions in Germany and farm work in Denmark.
The move mirrors the successful labour export models of Asian countries like the Philippines and Bangladesh, which have long relied on remittances as a pillar of economic growth. However, sub-Saharan Africa has been slower to adopt this approach. Now, with an ageing global workforce and rising demand for foreign labour, nations like Kenya are seizing the opportunity.
Government’s perspective
Kenya’s Labour Minister, Alfred Mutua, emphasised that labour migration is a strategic move to leverage the country’s growing workforce. Speaking to Reuters at a recruitment event, he said, ‘We have a very important resource called human capital. We can export our labour and make a lot of money.’
Kenya has already facilitated the emigration of over 200,000 workers in the past two years and aims to increase this to one million annually over the next three years. The government is also streamlining passport applications, background checks, and financial support for travel expenses.
Labour migration plays a crucial role in economic planning, as Africa’s working-age population is projected to surge by 1.5 billion by 2100. Unlike other regions, Africa will have a growing workforce while dependency ratios decline, positioning it as a key source of labour for the world.
Challenges and political backlash
Despite its economic potential, Kenya’s labour migration strategy is not without risks. Anti-immigration sentiment is rising in host countries, particularly in Europe.
Germany, which signed a deal with Kenya to ease restrictions for skilled workers, faces political uncertainty ahead of its February 23 snap elections. The opposition, including the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), has criticised the policy.
The AfD has called the current immigration law ‘disastrous’ and is pushing for stricter criteria to limit foreign workers to only highly skilled professionals. However, government officials maintain that Germany’s need for labour remains high, regardless of political shifts.
Economic and social implications
Labour migration can significantly boost Kenya’s economy through remittances. Many Kenyans working abroad send money home, supporting families and driving local development. However, there are concerns about the potential loss of critical skills, particularly in the healthcare sector.
Kenya has fewer than a third of the recommended 44.5 health workers per 10,000 people, yet many trained professionals are seeking jobs abroad. While the government argues that it cannot absorb all qualified workers, critics fear a talent drain that could impact essential services.
Labour unions, including the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, warn that foreign recruitment is luring away the most experienced professionals, reducing knowledge transfer and mentorship for younger workers.
The reality for job seekers
For many Kenyans, securing overseas jobs remains a challenge. At the Machakos job fair, applicants lined up from 4 a.m. despite heavy rain. Recruiters conducted interviews in classrooms, with some offering opportunities in Poland, the UAE, and Australia.
Nicholas Mutunga Mwongela, 52, was optimistic after receiving a job offer at a Polish meat processing factory. However, he was shocked to learn he needed to raise around $4,000 for recruitment fees and travel expenses. ‘I have the experience, I have the expertise, I have the exposure,’ he said, determined to secure funding.
Looking ahead
Kenya’s labour migration strategy presents a potential solution to its employment crisis but also faces scrutiny over its long-term sustainability. As global labour shortages persist, formal agreements between nations could become more common, creating structured migration pathways that benefit both sending and receiving countries.
However, success will depend on managing local concerns, ensuring worker protections, and adapting to shifting political landscapes abroad.
