Thousands of foreign nationals have returned home from South Africa in recent weeks, as governments across Africa have stepped up repatriation efforts following anti-immigrant protests.

The returns have been coordinated through government-organized flights, buses and other voluntary repatriation programmes, with Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nigeria carrying out the largest operations.

Malawi

Malawi has carried out the largest repatriation effort so far.

South African authorities say 15,162 Malawian nationals have been processed for deportation or repatriation, while Malawi says 6,936 citizens have returned home.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe said it had repatriated 3,624 nationals as of June 26 as concerns over anti-immigrant violence intensified ahead of planned protests.

Most returnees travelled by road through the Beitbridge border post.

Nigeria

Nigeria organized several evacuation flights after more than 1,000 citizens registered for voluntary return. More than 600 Nigerians have so far been repatriated, with additional flights planned for those who have registered.

Separately, South African authorities processed more than 586 Nigerian nationals found to be in the country illegally under immigration enforcement procedures. These cases are distinct from Nigeria's voluntary evacuation programme.

Ghana

Ghana has sent several charter flights from Johannesburg, repatriating close to 1,000 citizens who requested assistance returning home. The government continues to process additional applications from nationals wishing to leave South Africa.

Kenya

Kenya has repatriated 211 citizens at government expense, with authorities saying additional evacuations could be arranged if needed. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has announced that the final government-chartered evacuation flight from Johannesburg is scheduled to depart on July 9.

Uganda

Uganda has received the first group of 273 citizens evacuated from South Africa under its repatriation programme. Authorities say further evacuations could follow if necessary.

Mozambique

Mozambique has organized voluntary repatriations for its citizens following attacks that killed several Mozambicans. Authorities have not released an updated nationwide total of returnees.

Other countries

South African authorities say they are also working with several other African governments that have requested assistance for citizens wishing to return home, although official figures have not yet been released.

The repatriations follow weeks of anti-immigration demonstrations in parts of South Africa, where protest groups have called for the removal of undocumented migrants.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned attacks on foreign nationals while pledging to strengthen immigration enforcement and uphold the rule of law.

Governments across the region have continued urging citizens who remain in South Africa to register with their embassies if they require consular assistance or wish to return home.

Editor's note: The figures are not directly comparable because governments report different stages of the repatriation process. Some report citizens who have returned home, while others report those registered, processed for repatriation or awaiting departure.