Ethiopia Launches “LeMengede” Mobile App to Empower and Protect Migrant Workers

The Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, launched the LeMengede (ለመንገዴ) mobile application at an event held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa. The app is designed to provide Ethiopian migrant workers with access to essential information and support services throughout the migration process.

The launch was attended by representatives from government institutions, social partners, international organizations, diplomatic missions, civil society groups, and returnee migrants. The discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to improve protection for Ethiopian migrant domestic workers, with a particular focus on addressing challenges faced by women working in less regulated sectors abroad.

The LeMengede app, developed with technical support from the ILO and funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), offers multilingual information on safe migration, rights awareness, complaint-handling mechanisms, and an emergency SOS feature. It serves as a practical digital companion for migrant workers, before departure, while abroad, and upon return.

The launch was inaugurated by Mr. Khumbula Ndaba, ILO Country Director for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, and H.E. Ms. Nebiha Mohammed, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Skills. In his keynote address, Mr. Ndaba highlighted the ILO’s longstanding commitment to promoting decent work for all, particularly in migration corridors where risks are most pronounced. He reaffirmed the ILO’s support to the Government of Ethiopia in strengthening fair recruitment, data-driven migration governance, and the integration of digital tools such as LeMengede into national systems.

H.E. Ms. Nebiha Mohammed emphasized the government’s dedication to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and enhancing protection mechanisms for migrant workers. She commended the collaboration with ILO and other stakeholders in developing the app, which she described as a “critical leap forward in bridging information gaps and reinforcing worker protections.”

Following the opening, a short video demo and live walk-through of the app showcased its core features, from SOS alerts to QR-code-based user identification. MoLS representatives provided insight into how the app links to the broader Labour Market Information System (E-LMIS) and supports the country’s overseas employment governance.

A technical presentation by the ILO highlighted Ethiopia’s progress under the BRMM programme, including reforms in recruitment practices, capacity building, and the digitization of labour migration data systems.

The highlight of the event was a panel discussion that brought together perspectives from government institutions, the private sector, and returnee migrants. The discussion focused on how digital tools like the LeMengede app can improve migration governance, promote transparency in the recruitment process, and strengthen protection mechanisms for migrant workers. Panellists discussed the importance of integrating such tools into pre-departure training, ensuring alignment with fair recruitment standards, and drawing from regional experiences to enhance coordination. The session also highlighted the value of practical, accessible information for migrants and the need for continued collaboration to make digital solutions more responsive to the realities faced by workers, both before departure and while abroad.

The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration among stakeholders to expand awareness and ensure the LeMengede app is effectively integrated into Ethiopia’s broader migration governance framework. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen outreach efforts and encouraged institutions to actively promote the app within their respective communities so it can reach and serve the migrant workers who need it most.

Written by: Yonas Zewdie