Togo: Strengthening border management, the authorities’ response to security challenges
Faced with multiple security, migration, and economic challenges related to its borders, Togo is preparing to take a major step by creating a National Border Authority, called the “Togolese Border Authority”. This strategic project, recently reviewed in its first reading by the Council of Ministers, aims to centralize and optimize the management of the country’s land and maritime borders.
In a regional context marked by violent extremism, particularly in the northern part of the country, and complex migration flows, the creation of this Authority is part of a modernization and efficiency drive. It seeks to replace existing commissions with a centralized structure capable of coordinating national policies and effectively addressing border-related issues.
Among its strategic tasks, this new entity will be responsible for proposing solutions to border disputes, managing geographic demarcations, and overseeing transnational flows. It will also strengthen regional cooperation, which is essential in a West African space where states’ interdependence is strong.
The Togolese Border Authority will adopt an integrated approach, combining operational management with strategic thinking. This initiative continues the Togolese government’s recent actions, such as the installation of modern border posts equipped with advanced migration control systems. These infrastructures, already operational, aim to enhance security while facilitating cross-border trade.
Beyond the security aspect, this project also addresses development and social cohesion imperatives in border regions, which are often vulnerable. By strengthening the state’s presence and promoting harmonious border management, the Togolese government seeks not only to protect its territory but also to foster stability and regional integration.
The creation of the Togolese Border Authority thus marks a decisive step in Togo’s broader strategy to address border-related challenges while contributing to the security and prosperity of the sub-region.
