Modelle, Innovationen und Herausforderungen der intraregionalen Migration und Governance

This research paper examines the implementation, achievements, and challenges of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) free movement protocols. It analyzes the impact of geopolitical fragmentation, security threats, and protectionist policies on regional integration, while discussing the implications of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

• ECOWAS has been recognized as the most successful African regional organization in facilitating the free movement of people, with a high proportion of West African migrants moving within the region. Approximately 84 percent of ECOWAS citizens' migratory movements are directed toward other member states, and five out of eight West African migrants move intra-regionally.
• The ECOWAS free movement framework is based on two primary instruments: the 1979 Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment, and the 1998 Transhumance Decision. The 1979 Protocol was rolled out in three phases between 1980 and 1995, progressively granting rights for visa-free entry (up to 90 days), the right to seek paid employment, and the right to establish businesses.
• Security threats and irregular migration have led member states to implement measures that hinder free movement. Specific challenges include the Boko Haram insurgency affecting Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, as well as cross-border smuggling and human trafficking. In February 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service reported the arrest and deportation of 378 illegal immigrants involved in fraudulent activities.
• Protectionist economic policies in some member states contravene ECOWAS protocols and lead to xenophobia. For example, Ghana's Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act excludes Nigerian migrants from retail and trade sectors, while Sierra Leone reserves public sector employment exclusively for its own nationals, except under special arrangements.
• The ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol faces significant non-compliance and disruption due to climate change, resource scarcity, and conflict between herders and farmers. This has led countries like Benin (in 2019) and Guinea (from January 1, 2025, to March 1, 2026) to ban or restrict cross-border transhumance to reduce intercommunal violence.
• The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS in January 2025 to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has created uncertainty regarding the future of regional trade and migration protocols. While the AES plans to harmonise its own travel and identity documents, it has stated it will maintain free movement for ECOWAS citizens subject to national laws.
• Institutional delays and a lack of political will have slowed the adoption of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), which was endorsed over a decade ago to replace the ECOWAS Travel Certificate.

APA

Yemisi, O. (2025). Modelle, Innovationen und Herausforderungen der intraregionalen Migration und Governance. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/de/modelle-innovationen-und-herausforderungen-der-intraregionalen-migration-und-governance-en

Chicago

Yemisi, Olawale. Modelle, Innovationen und Herausforderungen der intraregionalen Migration und Governance. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2025. https://afripoli.org/de/modelle-innovationen-und-herausforderungen-der-intraregionalen-migration-und-governance-en.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Yemisi |first1=Olawale |title=Modelle, Innovationen und Herausforderungen der intraregionalen Migration und Governance |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=18 November 2025 |url=https://afripoli.org/de/modelle-innovationen-und-herausforderungen-der-intraregionalen-migration-und-governance-en |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yemisi2025modelle, author = {Yemisi, Olawale}, title = {{Modelle, Innovationen und Herausforderungen der intraregionalen Migration und Governance}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://afripoli.org/de/modelle-innovationen-und-herausforderungen-der-intraregionalen-migration-und-governance-en}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }