Regional study on the cross-border economy, RESILAC 2

April 2025 - November 2025

This study is part of component 3 of the RESILAC*2 project aimed at economic recovery and improving cooperation and coordination of cross-border economic activities. It will analyse the potential and economic changes in cross-border development in light of the impact of the multidimensional crisis in the Lake Chad basin. It should identify needs, obstacles and potentially promising cross-border sectors, as well as possible modes of cooperation and coordination.

Funded by

Agence française de développement et Union européenne

The overall objective of this research is to update knowledge of the needs and obstacles to cross-border trade in the Lake Chad Basin (LCB), and of the promising economic sectors in this area, as well as the modes of cooperation and coordination to be considered to facilitate cross-border trade between the countries of the RESILAC programme (Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad).
It will specifically aim to:

Analyse forms of cross-border economic governance and their influence on local economic resilience. A retrospective look at the last few decades could shed light on the gains made in cross-border cooperation by highlighting the strategies and governance issues between different local authorities in their relationship with the devolved and/or decentralised state.
Update knowledge on economic sectors (goods and services) in the cross-border areas of the Lake Chad basin and how they operate in conjunction with national and regional actors. The sectors studied will initially be livestock farming (cattle, sheep and goats), agriculture (onions, maize and market gardening in particular), fish farming and related activities such as trade, processing, packaging and transport.
Analyse with stakeholders the existing or potential sources of conflict around the sectors targeted by the project or other possible sectors, taking into account the population dynamics around Lake Chad. The study will seek to identify other possible sectors with the stakeholders.
Analyse the main constraints and difficulties encountered by economic stakeholders in the sectors and areas studied (e.g. barriers to trade) and specify their impact, in dialogue with the stakeholders concerned on cross-border trade in the area.
Work with national and regional stakeholders to improve understanding of economic dynamics and trade flows in cross-border areas (including monetary aspects and socio-economic infrastructure) in order to strengthen their planning and intervention capacities in the above-mentioned sectors.
Inform and guide the design and implementation of RESILAC*2 responses, particularly in the following areas: economic integration of young people; support for economic actors and value chains in cross-border areas; understanding and strengthening market information systems; coordination and advocacy at the public policy level.

More information on RESILAC 2