The significance of improved border demarcation in fostering cross-border collaboration, bolstering regional security, and enhancing the standard of living for border communities throughout West Africa has been emphasized by Adamu Adaji, Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Nigeria.
Adaji revealed this through the Head of Cross Border Cooperation, Dr. Farouk Tarfa, who represented him at a two-day Cross Border Cooperation Program along the Nigeria-Benin and Benin-Togo borders on May 14 and 15, 2026, according to a statement released by the commission on Monday.
Dr. Yousouf Adams, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission of the Republic of Benin, hosted and oversaw the event.
“Clearly defined and properly demarcated borders remain critical to enhancing cross-border cooperation, community resilience, peace, and security across the African continent,” states Adaji.
He pointed out that the majority of Africa’s colonial-era borders were still mostly unclear at the time of independence, but African leaders decided to uphold the inherited treaties while cooperating to settle disputes and promote regional integration.
Adaji also praised the two National Boundary Commissions’ efforts to advance peaceful cohabitation and effective border government.
“In order to complete the demarcation of the Nigeria-Benin international boundary, we ask for the German International Cooperation’s ongoing support and intervention. Better cross-border collaboration, more chances for borderland populations to make a living, and increased border security will all result from the successful completion of the demarcation process,” he said.
Dr. Yousouf Adams, Director-General of the Benin Republic’s National Boundary Commission; Dr. Tobias Thiel, Director of German International Cooperation at the African Union; Mr. Max Middeke, Head of GIZ Program Support to the African Union for Promoting Peace, Security, and Governance in Africa; and Dr. Bakary Sanou, Head of GIZ-African Union Border Program, attended the program.
“Border governance in West Africa is currently undergoing significant transformation driven by collective commitments towards security, cooperation, and regional integration,” Dr. Yousouf Adams said during the presentation.
He clarified that the African Union Border Programme functions as a continental framework with the goal of motivating member states to appropriately define their boundaries and turn border regions into areas of growth and collaboration.
The delegation visited border pillars and examined a number of cross-border socioeconomic initiatives as part of the activities. Additionally, the delegation paid a courtesy call to His Royal Majesty Sir Isaac, the Oba of Iwoye-Ketou, where they requested ongoing support for long-term cross-border collaboration with the goal of fostering good neighborliness and peaceful cohabitation among border communities.
The king praised the efforts of the German International Cooperation and the National Boundary Commissions of Benin and Nigeria in fostering harmonious relations and enhancing the standard of living for border residents.
The traditional leader claimed that “engaging border communities gives them a sense of belonging, reduces irregular migration, and further enhances security within the border areas.”
Dr. Tobias Thiel, the Director of German International Cooperation at the African Union, expressed gratitude for the cordial welcome and reiterated the GIZ-African Union Border Programme’s dedication to enhancing border governance throughout Africa.
“Borders should be given the highest priority in order to promote peace, cooperation, and sustainable development across the continent because they are dynamic and multifaceted,” he stated.
Local Cross Border Cooperation Platforms were established along the Benin-Togo border during a solidarity visit by Dr. Farouk Tarfa, the Director-General of NBC Nigeria, as part of the West African Cross Border Cooperation project.
In addition to fostering sustainable development, peaceful coexistence, and improved cross-border security throughout the sub-region, the operationalization of the platforms is anticipated to be a realistic step in transitioning from a “ECOWAS of States” to a “ECOWAS of People.”
Recall that Nigerian and Beninese local governments and communes previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Local Cross-Border Cooperation, which calls for the platforms to be fully operationalized in order to enhance borderland communities’ quality of life, bolster security, and advance West African integration.
