African immigration towards Italy is presented as part of the wider international context. The function of emigration networks is briefly examined. A comparison is made between the Burkinabe and Senegalese groups, the latter being the most important group from West Africa. The different ways of entering the labour market are studied according to the legal situation of migrants (whether regulars or clandestines), the Italian region of settlement, and above all according to the characteristics of the ethnic networks established by the two above-mentioned nationalities. The example of the shanty town of Villa Literno is given. The comparison concerns also the migration project and the relations with other African groups. The article shows how the choice of individual or group integration strategies depends both on cultural factors of the society of origin and on the economical and social situation of the Italian region of settlement.

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Studies cultural anthropology Comparative Studies Research Methodology Origin Africa south of the Sahara economics population social policy demography Europe Migrants methodology developing country Population Dynamics Developing Countries Africa, Western Ethnic Groups ethnic group Developed Countries Mediterranean Countries policy labour market comparative study Migration Policy African immigrants emigration network Senegalese people Burkinabe people Burkina Faso Cultural Background Senegal health care manpower Health Manpower Western Africa Socioeconomic Factors Africa socioeconomics Article Southern Europe Africa, Northern migration French Speaking Africa international migration developed country population and population related phenomena Demographic Factors research Emigration and Immigration Italy Economic Factors Transients and Migrants Population Characteristics Human Resources public policy employment Labor Force Destination population migration Population Policy Culture immigrants