From Crisis to Coordination: How Remote Sensing and AI Are Reshaping IDP and Refugee Management in West Africa

By Olusola AKANNI

Displacement and Economic Stress in Western Africa

In West Africa, internal displacement and refugees crossing borders have turned into persistent issues due to armed conflicts, terrorism, environmental catastrophes, and deficiencies in government leadership.

In Nigeria, the number of internally displaced individuals has surpassed 3 million IDPs, with an additional 85,000 refugees recorded as of 2023 (UNHCR).

Burkina Faso has seen a concerning rise, with 2 million people forced from their homes because of instability and violent extremism (IOM, 2024). These displacements are not separate humanitarian emergencies; they have significant macroeconomic impacts.

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees frequently depend significantly on assistance from aid organizations and informal networks, which can strain overburdened public services. This situation affects various sectors including healthcare, education, nutrition, and shelter, thereby undermining progress made in development efforts.

The World Bank reports that forcibly displaced people in Sub-Saharan Africa lead to an approximate annual GDP reduction of 2-3%, primarily because of interrupted productivity, diminished labor market performance, and overstretched public finances.

The Cost of Inaction

The displacement crisis in West Africa is equally a crisis of governance. Despite ECOWAS implementing the Free Movement Protocol (1979) and ratifying the Kampala Convention (2009), the application at a national level varies widely.

In Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, and Niger, various issues hamper policy implementation such as insufficient coordination, lack of adequate financing, and breaches in security. These problems leave displaced individuals in unstable situations, increasing their susceptibility to extremism or human trafficking.

Moreover, approaches focused on immediate assistance prevail in responses to displacement. The financial support from humanitarian sources in the area decreased by 16% in 2023 (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA), even though requirements continue to rise. In the absence of comprehensive integration strategies, West African nations are failing to take advantage of dislocated groups as potential economic assets.

Geospatial Intelligence: The Missing Element in Migration Management

Today more than ever, West Africa must adopt geospatial technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to shift from relying solely on reactive assistance programs towards implementing proactive governance strategies.

1. Early Alerts and Hazard Mapping:

   Remote sensing and satellite images have the potential to predict floods, desert encroachment, and areas prone to armed conflicts, enabling policymakers to foresee population displacements and allocate resources beforehand. This became clear with the extensive flooding in Nigeria and the Benin Republic in 2022; inadequate forecasting resulted in more than 1.4 million individuals being forced from their homes (NEMA, 2023).

2. Camping Trip Planning and Resource Distribution:

   Geospatial information enables real-time monitoring of internally displaced persons' camps, helping planners achieve fair allocation of resources. In the case of the Lake Chad Basin, the IOM utilized geographic information system (GIS) dashboards to monitor population movements and identify infrastructural deficiencies; this approach needs broader implementation throughout the area.

3. Border Surveillance and Anti-Trafficking:

   AI-driven surveillance equipment like thermal-imaging drones and facial recognition systems can improve border oversight, particularly along permeable passages connecting Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Such technology aids in identifying illegal immigration, child smuggling, and transnational criminal activities.

4. Simulation Policies and Scenario Planning

   Governments have the ability to combine migration statistics with economic and climate projections to assess the effects of various policies. By using AI-powered analysis, they can forecast how integrating refugees might influence host economies or determine how displacement caused by droughts may alter patterns of settlement within cities.

The Part Played by ECOWAS and National Governments

As a regional group, ECOWAS needs to take charge of establishing a unified data and geospatial control center, combining assets from its member countries to track population movements and aid in humanitarian efforts.

Public-private collaborations might enable ECOWAS to team up with African artificial intelligence start-ups, satellite firms, and developmental organizations to develop local capabilities. As leading nations within the region, both Nigeria and Ghana should commit resources towards establishing comprehensive internal displacement tracking systems, including digital databases, biometric identification cards for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and incorporating migratory factors into their respective strategic plans.

Financial Imperatives

Displacement is more than merely a humanitarian issue; it also poses a significant fiscal challenge. Taking preemptive action to tackle the IDP crisis could:

• Decrease reliance on external assistance, allowing local funds to be utilized more freely.
• Boost workforce engagement by offering skill development programs to young people who have been affected.
• Reduce security costs by lowering insurgency threats via enhanced stability and integration.
• Draw in overseas direct investment (ODI) from international ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investors interested in economies equipped for climate-induced migrations.

According to a 2023 World Bank report, nations that invested in integrating internally displaced persons (IDPs) experienced a 7% rise in their GDP within five years. This growth was primarily driven by improvements in labor force productivity and increased support for entrepreneurial activities.

Conclusion: Towards a Robust Migration Management System

West Africa finds itself at a pivotal juncture. To turn its displacement challenge into an occasion for enhancing regional strength, nations should focus on data-driven strategies, geographic innovations, and long-term financial support. When combined with strong political commitment and effective collaboration through ECOWAS, geospatial tools present a powerful way ahead.

It is now time to invest in individuals who are moving, not only to safeguard them but also to enable them to play a significant role in shaping our collective economic prospects.

About author:

Olusola Akanni, an authority on migration and environmental policies, offers this opinion piece grounded in more than ten years of work managing migrations throughout West Africa. Holding a master’s degree in Migration Studies from the University of San Francisco, USA, and having served as an officer for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Olusola provides insights gleaned from his experiences in border regions and global transit zones. His expertise covers observing patterns of human movement, analyzing border monitoring mechanisms, and identifying shortcomings within humanitarian policies.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).