ABSTRACT
The desire to access more opportunities leads to increased migration within the West African region. The borders create the perception that just beyond them, opportunities abound that are much better than the reality in the migrant’s state of origin. Thus, the border is a catalyst of migration and a beacon of hope of “greener grass” in one of the world’s poorest developing regions. This chapter examines the unique role of borders in catalysing economic migration within the region. Using Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, two migration hubs as case studies, it analyses how West African migrants utilise the borders to access the greener grass within the region.
