Who We Are

The UNDP Africa Borderlands Centre (ABC) is dedicated to transforming Africa’s borderlands into thriving zones of resilience, inclusion, and opportunity. Established by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, the Centre works across o ver 20 African countries, supporting governments, communities, and partners to unlock the untapped potential of these often-overlooked regions. The ABC supports borderland communities, governments, inter-governmental agencies, and UNDP Country Offices, to more effectively engage in borderlands development to ensure that no one is left behind in the achievement of Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

Africa’s borderlands are home to more than 270 million people. While these areas are frequently marginalized—facing chronic poverty, climate shocks, conflict, and weak infrastructure—they are also sites of deep knowledge, rich cultures, and bold resilience. ABC exists to harness this potential and reshape narratives. 

Our Vision

To ensure that Africa’s borderlands are no longer seen as peripheries—but as frontiers of opportunity, innovation, and sustainable development.

What We Do

ABC brings together research, policy, innovation, and grassroots engagement to deliver people-centered solutions in Africa’s border regions. Our work focuses on:

• Knowledge for Action
• Inclusive Innovation
• Resilience Building
• Partnerships for Impact

Our Flagship Initiatives

• Borderlands Innovation Challenge: A platform supporting youth-led, tech-driven, and community-rooted solutions.
• Borderlands Research: Collaborative knowledge generation focused on development, migration, climate, and conflict.
• Voices from the Borderlands: A storytelling project documenting the lived experiences, histories, and hopes of border communities.
• Karamoja Cross-Border Facility: Expanding development interventions, fostering cross-border collaboration, and enhancing regional stability.

Why Borderlands Matter

Borderlands are often perceived as fragile zones—but they are also sites of dynamic trade, cultural exchange, and resilience innovation. Investing in borderlands is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing regional integration, and leaving no one behind.

Join Us

We invite governments, researchers, innovators, youth, and communities to co-create the future of Africa’s border regions with us.