Border Spaces and Regional Integration in ECOWAS

Assessing the social, political and economic contributions of border areas at national and/or regional level is at the heart of many studies on the process of regional integration. In Africa in general, and in West Africa in particular, border areas are complex and highly dynamic. This research proposes to determine their importance in the regional integration process within ECOWAS. It is based on a descriptive analysis of data from OECD/WAC studies of West African border areas. Through a quantitative and qualitative approach, the results revealed that West African border areas represent natural integration zones, or small-scale integration zones where numerous actors of diverse origins, nationalities, cultures and activities interact. However, they struggle to have a positive impact and to make a relevant and appreciable contribution to the process of regional integration at both national and regional levels.

Keywords:- Border Areas; Regional Integration; ECOWAS; Transport Infrastructure; Energy Infrastructure.