Who We Are
Our Institute
The Borders Institute (TBI) is an independent, multinational, non-profit, non-governmental organization, based as a legal entity in Nairobi, Kenya. With staff members and partners working through field-based research and high-level training on border issues, the institute has positioned itself as a leading research and training institute on border issues in Africa.
TBI is registered as a not-for-profit organization in Kenya. TBI was established by a group of African researchers and practitioners with extensive backgrounds in boundary delimitation, demarcation, and maintenance; border security and management; cross-border cooperation and regional integration; and border dispute settlement in Africa and the world.
Our Borders
Our borders are Us. They affect our lives, as they affect countries and counties in multiple ways: they assign identities and territories; determine relations between states and counties; promote interstate commerce and trade (custom duty and curbing smuggling activities); cause tensions, conflicts and wars if they are undefined, unmarked and unmanaged or poorly defined, marked and managed; and can be positive or negative, friendly or unfriendly, inclusive or exclusive, unifying or separating depending on how they are managed.
If borders are disputed, they can cause humanitarian catastrophes, disruption of national and international trade and economic development, regional tensions, and regional insecurity. Borders will prevent conflicts and enhance peaceful co-existence within and between countries if they are clearly defined, marked and managed.
Working for Peaceful and Prosperous African Borders
TBI is an Africa focused organization, wholly independent of any government but helping them, as well as regional organizations, international organizations, and the international community, to promote and maintain peaceful and prosperous borders in Africa. TBI is on course to be the leading non-government source of information, analysis, and policy advice on African borders, as well as a reputable institution for building the capacities of African governments on border issues.
TBI research outputs are geared to promoting peaceful and prosperous borders in Africa by reaffirming African boundaries, enhancing border management, promoting cross-border cooperation, eliminating border disputes, and improving the livelihoods of the border communities.
Our Key Focus Areas
Boundary Delimitation & Demarcation
Expert guidance on defining and marking international boundaries
Border Security & Management
Enhancing cross-border security and efficient management systems
Cross-Border Cooperation
Promoting regional integration and collaborative frameworks
Border Dispute Resolution
Facilitating peaceful settlement of boundary conflicts
Partner With Us for Peaceful Borders
Join us in promoting peaceful and prosperous borders across Africa. Whether you're a government, organization, or individual researcher, we welcome collaboration towards our shared vision.