West Africa is one of Africa’s most mobile regions. Intra-regional migration represents a large part of its cross-border movements and has widely been recognised as key to the region’s economic growth and stability. However, the region is also home to Ebola and a number of secessionist or terrorist groups. Governments within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are turning to modern technology to help them control the borders without affecting economic growth and trade. An ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card is being introduced as a travel document within the region in place of the ECOWAS Travel Certificate, which will cease to be produced. The introduction of the card is scheduled to start in 2016.
