Borders, boundaries and migration route networks in West Africa: a commentary

This article analyzes the dynamics of intraregional migration in West Africa through an integrated approach that combines migration systems theory with perspectives from human geography and the political geography of borders and frontiers. The aim is to go beyond simplistic, generic, and Eurocentric interpretations of migration phenomena, highlighting the structural, networked, and multilevel nature of mobility within the African regional space. Starting from a critical review of the most recent international literature – a useful tool for the re-examination undertaken in this article – this paper analyses and examines West Africa as an established migration system, characterised by predominantly intra-African flows, high circularity and strong economic and trade interdependence between areas and countries of origin, transit and destination. In this context, state borders are not considered simple separation devices, but dynamic elements that shape migration routes while simultaneously functioning as barriers and spaces for interaction. The analysis highlights the role of migration networks, regional policies, and environmental factors in shaping migration flows, demonstrating how migration now forms an integral part of territorial integration and development processes. In this context, state borders are not considered simple separation devices, but dynamic elements that contribute to the configuration of migration routes, functioning simultaneously as barriers and spaces for interaction. The paper therefore proposes a geographical interpretation of West African migration as a systemic phenomenon, rooted in complex and ever-evolving spatial configurations.