By Philippa Osim Inyang
Publication Date: 2026-03-29 05:09:00
West Africa as a region has long had one of the most mobile populations in the world. Since 1979, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has allowed citizens of its member states to travel freely across borders without a visa.
This freedom of movement has helped promote regional trade, labor mobility and social ties. But technological change is changing the way borders work, with significant implications for human rights.
Across West Africa, governments are rolling out biometric identification systems, facial recognition cameras and artificial intelligence tools at airports and land borders.
As a researcher in international law, human rights and technology governance, I recently published a study on these developments. In it, I argue that the increasing use of AI-driven border surveillance could undermine the rights of migrants. It weakens data protection and puts pressure on the region’s commitment to free movement.
These systems promise relief…
