GIS Mapping, A Decision-Making Tool for the Co-Management of the Border Areas Aplahoue (Benin)-Tohoun (Togo)

Abstract

Despite their potential, West Africa's cross-border spaces pose management problems. This situation is perceived differently on both sides of the border. The purpose of this research is to study the possibilities for comanagement of the Aplahoue (Benin)-Tohoun (Togo) transboundary area. The method used is a geographical approach based on mapping by the Geographic Information System and social surveys. The results obtained highlight both the organizational constraints of co-management and the threats to the evolution of the area under study. The determinants of co-management are human, physical and also dependent on land use. There are varying levels of land use (low 23%, medium 71% and high 6%). The mapped area presents territorial, economic and socio-political challenges (consolidation of national solidarity, rapprochement of divided peoples and regional integration) as well as solutions to infrastructure, land, security and sanitation problems that can be enhanced through the creation of a decision map. The latter makes it possible to project the cross-border study area into sub-regional integration (UEMOA). To operationalize co-management at the institutional, legislative, technical and financial levels, development poles are created with a view to their appropriation by stakeholders.