In the heart of Africa, the borderlands stretch across the continent, pulsating with life and echoing with stories of resilience. These regions, home to over 270 million people, are the setting for the compelling Borderlands documentary series produced by the UNDP Africa Borderlands Centre. This series invites viewers to delve into the lives of those who embody resilience and innovation amidst the challenges of their unique environments. Through this documentary, we gain insights into the daily realities faced by those living in the borderlands—where survival, adaptation, and community leadership forge paths to sustainable living. The narratives shared not only highlight the individual and collective strengths of borderland communities but also showcase their vital role in shaping sustainable futures in a rapidly evolving world.

Stretching across the African continent, like veins pulsating with life, are the borderlands — here, nations converge, cultures intermingle, and stories unfold. Borderlands are regions within 30km from international borders where border contact is a central feature of economic and political life. 

According to the UNDP Africa Borderland Centre,^[1] Africa has 106 border pairs with over 270 million people living in them. This combined population of the borderland regions is larger than any single state on the continent. Hidden in of these lands and in the heart of its people are layers of resilience that have aided survival, innovation and adaptation in a rapidly changing world. 

These borders are not merely lines drawn on a map; they are the frontiers of human experience, where the complexities of geography, history, and identity intersect. From confronting climate change to championing gender equality and enhancing access to education and healthcare, the people here are the architects of their own destiny. Through their stories, we uncover the indomitable spirit that propels them forward against all odds.

Life on the Edge: An Insight into Daily Life in Africa's Borderlands

From the bustling markets of Nakonde to the tranquil or sometimes conflict-ridden villages of North Pokot to the dry landscapes of Maigatari, recognising and mapping out a path to survival is a daily reality for people who live in border communities.

As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, stringent measures was implemented, disrupting normalcy across borders. For Esilia, a crossborder trader, the unprecedented adversities of the lockdown period was her watershed moment. 

The sudden closure of borders threatened her very livelihood, which relied heavily on cross-border trade. However, her challenges extend beyond these closures, shedding light on the broader issue of unequal trade access. Additionally, as a nursing mother, Esilia faces the added burden of inadequate facilities during border crossings, highlighting the unique struggles that women in the borderlands endure.

Today, Esilia has found comfort in the warmth of the Crossborder Traders Association (CBTA) of Nakonde; the Nakonde CBTA serves as the voice of these traders, addressing issues like the lack of changing rooms for women, porous borders, and conflicts arising from tribal rivalries.  Today, the market is not just a place of commerce but also a lifeline for Esilia she carves out a niche for herself trading locally made fabric called chitenge so she can provide for her family.

In contrast, William Alew Keem's journey towards becoming a peacemaker was born from personal tragedy. Losing his father to cattle rustlers in West Pokot, Kenya, at a young age, this loss not only shattered his family but also left a lasting impact on William's life and that of his siblings. With their primary breadwinner gone, William and his siblings faced economic instability and emotional turmoil. 

Rather than succumb to bitterness or despair, William channelled his grief into a powerful force for positive change. By engaging with former cattle rustlers across the borderlands, his unwavering resolve to confront the root causes of conflict and promote dialogue and cooperation inspires hope and is leaving an indelible legacy of peace and reconciliation across the borderlands. 

But survival is not the only theme that stands tall in the borderlands as innovation, education and activism is paving way for the greater good of these communities. Moses Mwansa and the VillageSavers Team are empowering unbanked groups in Nakonde, Zambia carving a path for financial inclusion that serves as a reminder of the boundless potential of community-led development.  Moses has an even more poignant message: innovation is not always complex algorithms; it could be as simple as handing someone a ladle or spoon. 

"When people hear innovation, they automatically think of complex, high-tech inventions, but that's not always the case. Innovation is about creating solutions to problems, no matter how trivial." he shares the simple principle guiding him as he seeks solutions to everyday problems.

For Hauwa Dahiru, a school teacher in Malaka, a border town of Nigeria and Niger, her weapons of change are sensitization and advocacy. Before she took on the responsibility of combating the deep-seated illiteracy in her community, Malaka could not boast of a single classroom. 

Furthermore, in communities like Malaka, the girl child has it worse. She is groomed to take care of the house and after a while she is married off at a young age. Hauwa however, believes that the women of Malaka are capable of more. 

"I am particular about the girl child. Educating a woman is like educating a society or community, because women are incubators. Planting a seed of knowledge in a woman gives birth to an entire forest," she passionately advocates.

Today, Hauwa’s advocacy which modestly began in 2016 with just two children has now grown to about 300 to 350 children. Embracing the endless possibilities an education can offer their children, the community has become willing partners of her vision to make education the birth right of every child in Malaka.

The International Cattle Traders of Maigatari are leveraging a crossborder trade that spans over a century, serving not just their community but the entire country of Nigeria and the surrounding countries in the supply of livestock used for meat, transportation, leather and sports. Here, underneath the hot African sun, Abdulaziz Umar, a cattle trader desires to see his community benefit from their contribution to the economy. 

All of these individuals were self-motivated to pursue change for their communities. As Motunrayo Ayo-Akwe, founder of the Relief Project, an NGO which focuses on providing relief for borderland riverine communities rightly states, 

“We are not a government body; we are not sent by anybody. This is just us doing our best where we see the need for it.”

The Power of Self-Led Development and Collective Action

In the borderlands, resources for creating barrier-free environments are often lacking, impacting individuals with a disability like Martin Gondwe. Born with a disability, Martin is not only a community leader and business owner but also a staunch disability rights activist. Recognizing the systemic neglect faced by people with disabilities, he established the Nakonde Forum for Persons with Disabilities, which now boasts 116 members across 15 wards. Prioritizing the most vulnerable, particularly women and young girls, the Forum's advocacy has led to the active involvement and benefit of the community in three-quarters of government initiatives.

Nestled along Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic, Maigatari serves as a hub for international trade, with trade serving as the lifeblood of regional integration, fostering economic ties across borders. A 2019 report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) highlighted that regional integration efforts, including initiatives to facilitate trade and investment, are essential for Africa's economic development. Maigatari’s International Market exemplifies this, serving as a bustling hub where traders from neighbouring countries converge to exchange goods and services yet the town faces escalating conflicts due to climate change.

Maigatari International Cattle Market is one of the biggest cattle markets in the northern part of the country, supplying over 2 million stock of cattle for trading during its weekly market day. Despite this, Dauda Babangida, a 34-year-old academic and environmental activist, founded Maigatari Youth Reform (MAYORE) to address these challenges head-on. Through impactful initiatives like tree planting, they aim to combat desertification and create a greener, more resilient Maigatari, planting 500 trees to date.

Amidst diverse stories and missions, one truth shines through: Africa's borderlands are marked by resilience, ingenuity, and an unwavering drive to overcome challenges. Through self-led initiatives and community action, individuals across these lands are forging a path towards a brighter future.

Empowering the Borderlands: The Role of Local Leadership and Responsibility

In the traditional paradigm of development, some external actors often dictate the trajectory of progress, imposing solutions that do not take into consideration the context, needs and aspirations of local communities. At the heart of these stories lies the importance of local agency – the idea that communities possess the power to shape their own futures. In the borderlands, where external resources may be scarce, this principle takes on added significance. 

Kongelai Village in West Pokot County, Kenya exemplifies the power of local leadership amidst daunting challenges like drought, hunger, illiteracy, and conflicts. In 2012, a group of women formed the Chomyot Women Group, led by Carolyne Cheyech, a teacher and women's rights activist. Their resilience is sparking change and progress while encouraging entrepreneurship among the women folk. Similarly, Babangida's climate change efforts underscore the proactive role of local communities in addressing global challenges through grassroots initiatives and collective action.

Across borders, communities often encounter similar socio-economic and environmental challenges, including access to basic services, infrastructure development, and natural resource management. The success of the Chomyot Women Group underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration and partnerships in addressing shared challenges and advancing mutual development goals. By sharing experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, communities along international borders can foster greater solidarity, cooperation, and collective action for sustainable development and peace building.

The borderland communities are not isolated geographical terrains but interconnected ecosystems. In each of these stories, as the success one community spreads, other borderland towns and villages are taking note, recognizing the potential for self-led development to address pressing economic issues. Through cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange, borderland communities are leveraging the successes of their neighbours to drive progress in their own contexts, and also building stronger, more resilient societies that are better equipped to thrive in the face of a rapidly changing world.

Amplifying Voices, Catalysing Change

At the heart of these stories is the mission of the Africa Borderlands Centre to take the borderlands from relative obscurity to awareness that the people are leading development and creating solutions in their local colour and context.

Africa Borderlands Centre (ABC) is a flagship project of the UNDP, dedicated to elevating voices and supporting communities in Africa's borderlands. Through its initiatives, the Centre has inspired new approaches to development that prioritize community participation, local leadership, and cross-border collaboration.

By centring the voices and agency of borderland communities in policy discussions and development agendas, we can build more effective, sustainable solutions that address the root causes of poverty, inequality, and marginalization. 

The documentary series has also served as a powerful platform for amplifying the voices of borderland protagonists, empowering them to advocate for change on a global scale. The heartfelt responses to the stories not only reflect the emotional impact of the Borderlands Series but also highlight the tangible support it has generated for borderland communities turning visibility into actionable change. 

One notable example is Domtila Chesang, whose story of resilience in the face of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) gained international attention. Following her appearance in the documentary, she was invited to speak at the University of London, where her powerful testimony captivated audiences and inspired a wave of support for anti-FGM efforts.

For over a year, the entire production team for this documentary experienced life outside of what we had always known it. Embarking on this journey across different African countries has been nothing short of transformative, leaving a profound imprint on us. 

“Our hope is that these stories will not only inspire but also spark meaningful dialogue and action,” says the Director, Temidayo Ibitoye. “And it's up to all of us to ensure that their voices are heard.”

Visit UNDP BORDERLANDS to learn more about the borderland documentary series and discover ways to get involved. Together, we can make a difference and empower borderland communities to thrive.

Catch up on all the stories on https://www.stories-undpborderlands.org 

Author: Temidayo Ibitoye