Climate Change and International Migration in sub-Saharan Africa: Do Remittances Matter?

Mathilde Marthe Enouga, Université de Yaounde II

This article examines the role of migrant remittances in the relationship between climate change and international migration in Sub-Saharan Africa. From a sample of 31 countries, we estimate a panel data model using the Generalized Moment Method (GMM) over the period 1965-2015. Three main results come from this: (i) climate change has a negative and significant effect on international migration; (ii) remittances mitigate the negative and significant effect of climate change on international migration; (iii) For those countries that receive remittances most often, the combined effect of climate change and remittances has a positive and significant effect on international migration. By the way; it is important for Sub-Saharan African countries to set up a system for tracking transfers so that they can be used to support populations suffering from the effects of climate change