Migrant Africa

The history of African migration is as old as the history of the continent. Population movement for political economic religious and security reasons, as well as in response to demographic factors, has been recorded from early times. More recently, however, the patterns, directions and motivations of migration have been deeply affected by the colonial experience, which in turn influenced economic, social, cultural, political and demographic development.
The decision to migrate is trigged first and foremost by economic considerations. People migrate to improve their economic well-being and when they are unable to satisfy their aspirations within the existing opportunity structure in their locality. This does not, of course, apply to those displaced by natural disasters, such as drought or famine, or those fleeing war or political oppression.
Source:Aderanti Adepoju (1992)Migrant Africa available at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1310/is_1992_Jan/ai_11921836/ Accessed 28/03/2010.