African leaders have called for stronger cooperation between neighbouring countries to improve border security, combat illicit trafficking and promote regional integration, as Côte d’Ivoire hosts the third edition of the Abidjan Border Forum.
The three-day meeting, running from October 20 to 22 at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, is jointly organised by the Ivorian government and the African Union Commission. It is being held under the theme “Border Communities: Culture, Integration and Security”.
Ivorian Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé officially opened the forum on Tuesday, placing border communities at the centre of discussions on security, economic development and peaceful coexistence.
Mambé said border areas should be viewed not simply as territorial boundaries but as places where communities share cultural ties, economic interests and social relationships. He called for stronger cross-border cooperation to prevent tensions, build trust and support development.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also urged governments to improve coordination along their shared borders, warning that these areas remain vulnerable to terrorism, organised crime and illicit trafficking.
He called for more effective border management, including modernised border posts, simplified procedures and improved corridors to facilitate the movement of people and goods. He also urged African Union member states to ratify key continental agreements on cross-border cooperation and the free movement of people.
The forum is expected to bring together more than 2,000 delegates, including government officials, regional organisations, security agencies, researchers, development partners and representatives of border communities.
Discussions are set to examine how cultural ties can help transform borders from barriers into links between populations, while addressing gaps between regional agreements and their implementation on the ground.
The meeting comes as African countries seek to deepen economic integration while confronting security threats that frequently cross national boundaries. Effective cooperation is considered essential to tackling these challenges without disrupting the legitimate movement of people, goods and services.
However, the forum’s impact will depend on whether discussions lead to practical measures, stronger coordination between neighbouring states and better implementation of existing regional and continental frameworks.
The event runs until October 22, with participants expected to develop recommendations for improving integrated border governance across Africa.