West African countries are being encouraged to transform their economies to prevent young people from abandoning their homelands for a better life abroad.

That recommendation comes from Mohamed Ibn Chambas, head of the UN office in the region, UNOWA, who says European countries could also consider exporting low-skills jobs to Africa to help curb youth migration.

Mr Ibn Chambas was recently in New York where he sat down with Tsigue Shiferaw to discuss why migration is at the “heart” of relations between the two continents.

The envoy also spoke about his office’s role in Burkina Faso following the 2014 overthrow of President Blaise Compaore who held power for nearly 30 years.

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