Five EU nations move to set up deportation hubs in Africa

Five European Union countries are advancing plans to establish migrant return centres outside the bloc, with the first facility expected to begin operations in Africa in 2027.

The Sun Nigeria reported that Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands are developing a common model for centres accommodating migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected or who lack legal permission to remain in Europe.

Greece’s Migration Minister, Thanos Plevris, said the first centre could become operational during the second half of 2027. Greece has reportedly selected an African host country but has not disclosed its identity.

Rwanda and Uganda have been mentioned as possible locations, although neither has been officially confirmed.

Under the proposed arrangement, participating European countries would retain responsibility for migrants transferred to the facilities and finance their operations.

The centres have attracted scrutiny over human-rights and international-law concerns, with the Council of Europe calling for safeguards, independent monitoring and comprehensive assessments before implementation.