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.

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.