Kajiado, Kenya – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, hosted a training session in Kajiado County to bolster the operational effectiveness of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) in the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA). OSBPs play a vital role in promoting a holistic approach to trade facilitation, enhancing the movement of people, and boosting security at border crossing points across the region while reducing the number of stops required at these crossings.

The training session which took place from April 22 to 25, 2024, brought together 23 border management officials from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda. The officials gained insights into strategies to address contemporary border management challenges, and beyond exploring key concepts and tools for making border crossings more effective, they strengthened partnerships with other border management agencies, underscoring the importance of collaboration in advancing efficient border management and promoting regional integration.

The training built on previous efforts under the Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme, funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It leveraged the region's first Integrated Border Management (IBM) Training Manual, developed under the programme, and fostered a multi-country, multi-agency approach to border operations.

“OSBPs are important avenues to assist and protect migrants in vulnerable situations or affected by crises through effective coordination, information-sharing, resource mobilisation, and full ownership by partners at the regional and country levels," said Ali Abdi, BMM Senior Regional Programme Manager. "By strengthening our border management systems and enhancing trade facilitation mechanisms, we contribute to economic prosperity and peace, stability, and prosperity for our nations and the continent as a whole.”

In addition to the comprehensive sessions, the training also featured a site visit to the Namanga OSBP, situated along a vital corridor connecting Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and Arusha, the central city of northern Tanzania. Namanga OSBP, which served as a practical learning environment, is a prime example of effective border management, boasting well-crafted legal and regulatory frameworks, robust institutions, and meticulously developed OSBP procedure manuals.

During the visit, participants observed firsthand the operational areas of a high-performing border post, gained valuable insights into best practices, and learnt lessons applicable to their respective regions.

Looking ahead, the officials are poised to implement the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to enhance border management practices in the EHoA region. This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards fostering regional cooperation, facilitating trade, and ensuring secure and efficient border operations.

Note to editors

The BMM Programme is financed by the EU and BMZ. Its objective is to improve the safe, orderly, and regular management of migration within and from the Horn of Africa region by applying a human rights-based approach. The programme is implemented by British Council, CIVIPOL, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, IOM, and UNODC in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda.

For further information and enquiries, please contact:

Leon Buyu, BMM IBG Senior Programme Assistant, IOM Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa, Email: lbuyu@iom.int