Tanzania today hosts the second edition of the Doha Dialogue on Labour Mobility, a high-level platform aimed at strengthening cooperation between African countries and the Gulf states on labour mobility, workers’ rights and access to safe, fair and decent employment opportunities.
The two-day dialogue, taking place in Dar es Salaam from October 5 to 6, 2026, is being convened through cooperation between the Government of Tanzania, the Government of Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), bringing together representatives from African Union member states, GCC countries, Jordan and Lebanon.
Speaking during the opening session this morning, Mr Sabelo Mbokazi of the African Union Commission, who serves as Head of Employment and Labour, highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation and institutional frameworks to ensure that labour mobility between Africa and the Gulf is safe, orderly, fair and respectful of workers’ rights.
Representing the Tanzanian Government, Zuhura Yunus Abdallah, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Employment and Relations, also addressed the gathering, contributing to discussions on strengthening labour systems and expanding opportunities for international labour mobility.
The Doha Dialogue has emerged as an important platform for dialogue between African and Gulf countries at a time when labour mobility is becoming an increasingly significant component of economic and social relations between the two regions.
According to the African Union, approximately 4.7 million African migrants were living in GCC countries in 2024, highlighting the scale of the labour relationship between Africa and the Gulf.
The dialogue seeks to ensure that labour mobility goes beyond simply connecting workers with employment opportunities, and instead develops systems that protect workers’ rights while generating economic and development benefits for both origin and destination countries.
At the Dar es Salaam meeting, delegates are expected to discuss a range of issues including fair recruitment practices, recognition of workers’ qualifications and skills, social protection, access to justice for migrant workers, occupational safety and health, as well as stronger systems for sharing labour-market information and data.
The discussions are also expected to examine ways of better matching labour-market demand in Gulf countries with skills available across Africa.
Such cooperation could contribute to expanding employment opportunities for African youth and skilled professionals while reducing reliance on informal and poorly regulated channels of labour migration.
For Tanzania, the dialogue carries particular significance as the country continues to pursue greater access to international employment opportunities for its citizens while strengthening mechanisms to protect Tanzanian workers abroad.
The Government has increasingly emphasised the need to expand opportunities for skilled Tanzanians, including professionals and technical workers, in international labour markets.
The first Doha Dialogue was held in Doha, Qatar, on May 21 and 22, 2024, bringing together African countries, GCC states, Jordan and Lebanon. The inaugural meeting established a framework for continued cooperation on labour mobility and resulted in the Doha Declaration on Labour Mobility.
The second edition in Dar es Salaam carries additional significance for Tanzania and Africa as the country becomes the first African host of the Doha Dialogue, placing Tanzania at the centre of discussions on the future of labour mobility, employment cooperation and Africa-Gulf relations.
More broadly, the dialogue comes at a time of major changes in global labour markets. Gulf economies continue to require workers across different sectors, while many African countries have large and youthful populations seeking employment and professional opportunities.
The central challenge is therefore to ensure that increased labour mobility delivers benefits to both sides while safeguarding workers’ rights, safety, dignity and long-term development.
The two-day meeting continues in Dar es Salaam and is expected to conclude tomorrow, October 6, 2026, with participating countries expected to identify common priorities and practical measures for promoting safe, fair and sustainable labour mobility between Africa and the Gulf region.