The situation regarding unregulated migration has been equally concerning. In July, lawmakers in Greece passed legislation banning the further processing of asylum seekers arriving by sea from North Africa. This followed a recent influx of migrants to the Greek island of Crete. Despite previous agreements with some North African governments, European authorities’ attempts to control the situation have yielded no tangible results. Shortly afterward, more than 100 migrants, kidnapped by traffickers and gangs, were freed in Libya. The country’s Attorney General announced that the captives had been tortured and held for ransom by gangs who forced their families to pay for their release. A similar security operation week earlier also resulted in the rescue of several captives. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants, most of whom originate from Sub-Saharan Africa.

In July, Ghana’s Finance Minister announced that the country had lost over $1.2 billion to gold smuggling during its recent economic crisis. As Africa’s largest gold producer, Ghana has sought ways to control smuggling, an effort deemed essential for the stability of its local economy. According to other reports, several African countries lose billions annually due to resource smuggling, a drain that has severely impacted their developing economies.

While the socio-political and security issues mentioned above are driven by multilayered factors, a common denominator, porous borders, is both obvious and persistently difficult to manage. Transnational criminals are increasingly exploiting vast, often ungoverned, boundaries to carry out their crimes. Compromised entry and exit points, such as ports and harbors, have further worsened the situation.

Across the Sahara, migration routes connecting Sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa have mostly been left unmonitored or deliberately kept open due to regional conflicts. The route linking northwestern Sudan to eastern Libya has been facilitated by the ongoing Sudanese civil war. Following the coup in Niger, the migration agreement between the country and the European Union is no longer in effect. Insurgencies and extremist activities in the Sahel have also become major push factors driving migration across the Sahara.

Drug cartels with links to Southern and Central American syndicates have exploited ports and harbors across West Africa to traffic narcotics. The region has become a significant transit hub for drugs destined for Europe, a trend that has shown no improvement in 2025. With compromised customs operations and outdated inspection protocols, traffickers have successfully moved large quantities of cocaine into regional markets. Although some collaborations and vigilant operations have led to the seizure of thousands of kilograms of contraband, much of it either enters undetected or passes through heavily manned systems, many of which are vulnerable to corruption.

Violent extremist organizations have similarly exploited porous borders to move arms and finance their activities. Several reports indicate that al-Qaeda and IS affiliates have raised funds in coastal West African states by crossing from their operational zones. Stolen or extorted cattle from Sahel states have reportedly been sold in littoral countries, including Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. In eastern DRC, IS affiliates are known to engage in cross-border trade, while in Southern Africa, al-Shabaab militants in Mozambique conduct similar operations in southern Tanzania.

The absence of modern border management systems, often a result of hostile security environments, has allowed rogue actors to move freely and maximize their ability to carry out attacks in multiple countries. The situation between Somalia and Ethiopia is a case in point. In many instances, the monitoring of these actors using advanced technology is either insufficient or entirely absent.

Even in ports and harbors, where authorities theoretically have more control, traffickers and smugglers have exploited outdated systems and lax enforcement to conduct illicit activities. Billions of dollars’ worth of smuggled resources continues to pass through these entry points.

The persistent challenge of porous borders and transnational crimes in Africa requires innovative technological responses. Among the most effective measures is the deployment of smart surveillance and monitoring systems, which offer real-time intelligence and enhanced situational awareness across vulnerable regions.

One of the most promising tools in this regard is drone surveillance. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and night vision technology can be deployed to patrol remote and often unguarded border areas, particularly in challenging terrains such as the Sahel and the Sahara Desert. These regions, known for their vast, open expanses and limited state presence, have become major corridors for illegal migration, arms trafficking, and extremist movements. By providing live aerial footage and the ability to monitor large areas without the need for human patrols, drones serve as a cost-effective and efficient method of border surveillance. They can also be programmed to follow specific routes or respond to real-time intelligence, making them an adaptable tool in dynamic security environments.

In addition to drone technology, satellite imagery and monitoring offer a broader, strategic layer of surveillance. African countries can benefit from partnerships with global satellite providers or leverage assets under the African Union Space Policy. High-resolution satellite imagery can be used to monitor key migration routes, detect smuggling trails, and track suspicious movements of groups across borders. Satellites can cover areas that are otherwise inaccessible due to conflict, harsh terrain, or logistical challenges. Moreover, regular satellite monitoring provides valuable data for long-term trend analysis, enabling security agencies to predict and prepare for emerging threats before they escalate.

Another critical component of smart surveillance is the integration of AI-powered video analytics into existing security infrastructure. By deploying artificial intelligence software in conjunction with CCTV networks at key entry points such as ports, harbors, and border crossings, authorities can enhance their capacity to detect and respond to security threats. AI-powered systems can analyze video feeds in real time, identifying unusual behavior patterns, unauthorized access attempts, or suspicious vehicle movements. Unlike traditional CCTV monitoring, which depends heavily on human observation, AI systems can process vast amounts of data without fatigue, flagging potential risks for immediate action. This not only improves efficiency but also reduces the likelihood of human error or oversight.