Migration policy framework for Africa and plan of action (2018 – 2030) infrastructure, processes for the inspection of travellers, and training of staff, are key. The Declarations of the African Union Border Programme and its Implementation Modalities, adopted by the Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Border Issues (2007, 2010 and 2012), stress the need to put in place a new form of pragmatic border management aimed at promoting peace, security and stability, but also at facilitating the integration process and sustainable development in Africa (2007 para. 3) and the need, given the current challenges of integrated border management, to tackle, in a holistic way, development and security challenges in the border areas (2012). As many border areas in Africa are porous and as limited resources combined with corruption is a major challenge, community led policing and border management based on intelligence is required to strengthen border management. Through risk profiling and analysed information, border officials can use their limited resources for targeted actions, as controlling all the border areas effectively is often impossible. To support such actions, systemised ways to gather, analyse and share information between countries in Africa and among various law enforcement officers working at the borders (e.g. immigration, customs, police, specialized law enforcement agents etc.) need to be put in place. The AU Border Programme was launched in 2007 and assists Member States with the delimitation, demarcation and management of their borders, and promotes crossborder cooperation initiatives and the development of cross-border areas. The AU Convention on Cross Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention, 2012) aims to ensure efficient and effective integrated border management (Article 2(5)) and stipulates the principle and instrument of crossborder cooperation (CBC), defined as: any act or policy aimed at promoting and strengthening good-neighbourly relations between border populations, territorial communities and administrations or other stakeholders within the jurisdiction of two or more states, including the conclusion of agreement useful for this purpose. Member States need to cooperate in the delimitation and demarcation of borders, as well as in the development of crossborder procedures and initiatives which facilitate cross-border trade, mobility and development, in order to achieve Agenda 2063’ vision of an integrated Africa. The implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and the AU Free Movement of Persons Protocol will require close transnational cooperation, including data and information sharing, between the various authorities engaged in integrated border management, as well as the harmonisation of procedures and laws to facilitate cross-border migration and trade, whilst effectively addressing transnational crimes and security risks. The trend towards the securitisation of migration and borders should not engender the closing of borders and hamper integration efforts in Africa. Rather, cooperation in security, immigration and development need to be intensified to allow for the effective governance of our borders and stimulate economic integration. Recommended strategies 46 i. Ratify and implement the Niamey Convention on Cross Border Cooperation. ii. Affirm and implement the Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights at International Border from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.