Publications

Peer reviewed journal articles 

1. Bisong, A. 2025. Analysing narratives of free movement of persons in West Africa. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 51(18), 4598–4620. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2025.2544080

2. Bisong, A. and Ahariwe, P. 2024 'Enhancing Labour Mobility Amid Europe’s Transitions: Prospects for Europe - Africa Cooperation', Global Trade and Customs Journal, 19(7/8), pp. 506–518. https://kluwerlawonline.com/journalarticle/Global+Trade+and+Customs+Journal/19.7/GTCJ2024055

3. Arhin-Sam, K., Bisong, A., Jegen, L., Mounkaila, H. and Zanker, F., 2022. 'The (in)formality of mobility in the ECOWAS region: The paradoxes of free movement', South African Journal of International Affairs. DOI: 10.1080/10220461.2022.2084452. https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rsaj20/29/2

4. Bisong, A. 2021. Invented, invited and instrumentalised spaces: conceptualising non-state actor engagement in regional migration governance in West Africa. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 48(12), 2945–2963. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2021.1972570

5. Yeboah, T., Kandilige, L., Bisong, A., Garba, F. and Kofi Teye, J. 2021. The ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol and Diversity of Experiences of Different Categories of Migrants: A Qualitative Study. Int Migr, 59: 228-244. https://doi.org/10.1111/imig.12766

6. Bisong, A. 2018. Trans-regional institutional cooperation as multilevel governance: ECOWAS migration policy and the EU*. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 45(8), 1294–1309. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2018.1441607

Book Chapters 

1. Bisong, A. 2025. Securitisation, Resistance and the Future of EU –Africa Migration Cooperation: Towards A Rights Based Approach, EU-Africa: "Dealing" with migration. ISPI Report, Matteo Villa (ed.) https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/eu-africa-dealing-with-migration-218086

2. Panizzon, M. and Bisong, A. 2025. World Trade Organisation. In Elgar consise encyclopedia of Migration and Asylum Law. Vincent Chetail, Jittawadee Chotinukul and Giulia Raimondo eds. https://www.elgaronline.com/display/book/9781802204155/chapter106.xml?tab_body=abstract-copy1

3. Panizzon, M. and Bisong, A. 2024,  'On the Move? Mode 4 and the Temporary Movement of Persons in Preferential Trade Agreements', in Clausen, K., Elisg, M. and Polanco, R. (eds.) The Concept Design of 21st Century Trade Agreements. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/nl/universitypress/subjects/law/international-trade-law/concept-design-twenty-first-century-preferential-trade-agreement-trends-and-future-innovations?format=HB

4. Bisong, A., 2024. Legal pathways to migration: labour migration arrangements between West Africa and Europe. In: A.O. Akinola and J. Bjarnesen, eds. Worlds Apart? Perspectives on Africa–EU Migration. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Worlds-Apart-Perspectives-on-Africa-EU-Migration/Akinola-Bjarnesen/p/book/9781032860961

5. Milan, A., Bisong, A. and Siyanga-Knudsen, P., 2024. Towards a global governance of migration? From the 2005 Global Commission on International Migration to the 2022 International Migration Review Forum and beyond. World Migration Report 2024, pp. 221-240. Available at: https://publications.iom.int/system/files/pdf/pub2023-047-l-wmr2024-ch8-en.pdf

6. Bisong, A., 2023. The Failure of European Policy on Africa and Migratory Movements. Migration and Mobility: External Borders of the EU, IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2023, pp. 42-47. https://www.iemed.org/publication/the-failure-of-european-policy-on-africa-and-migratory-movements/

7. Bjarnesen, J., & Bisong, A. (2023). Africa without Borders. In Makina, D. and  Pasura, D. (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Contemporary African Migration (pp. 329-345). London: Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003005551-25/africa-without-borders-jesper-bjarnesen-amanda-bisong

8. Bisong, A. 2022. Return, Precarity and Vulnerability in West Africa: Evidence from Nigeria. In: Teye, J.K. (eds) Migration in West Africa. IMISCOE Research Series. Springer, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-97322-3_11

9. Bisong, A. (2021). EU External Migration Management Policies in West Africa: How Migration Policies and Practices in Nigeria Are Changing. In S. Carrera and A. Geddes, eds. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in light of the United Nations Global Compact on Refugees International Experiences on Containment and Mobility and their Impacts on Trust and Rightshttps://cadmus.eui.eu/server/api/core/bitstreams/af43c529-a2bb-5a19-945c-84c9e3c8e36e/content

10. Bisong, A. 2021. Migration: EU vs African Perspectives and Approaches. In G. Carbone, ed. Europe and Africa. The Long Search for Common Ground. 4 November 2021. ISPI. https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/europe-and-africa-long-search-common-ground-32235

11. Bisong, A. (2020). Migration Partnership Framework and the Externalization of European Union’s (EU) migration policy in West Africa: The case of Mali and Niger. Regional Integration and Migration Governance in the Global South, 217–237. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43942-2_10

Policy Briefs

1. Byiers, B. and Bisong, A. What would it take for a ‘no-stop’ border in Africa? ECDPM Discussion paper 388. 30 April 2025. https://ecdpm.org/application/files/6317/4600/5135/What-would-it-take-for-no-stop-border-in-Africa-ECDPM-Discussion-Paper-388-2025.pdf

2. Zanker, F. and Bisong, A., 2024. ‘Contested Mobility Norms in Africa: Reconciling Visions, Policies and Practice’. Heinrich Boell Stiftung Report, April. Available at: https://www.boell.de/en/2024/04/11/contested-mobility-norms-africa

3. Bisong, A., Jegen, L. and Mounkaila, H. 2023. What does the regime change in Niger mean for migration cooperation with the EU? ECDPM Briefing note 168, 11 September. Available at: https://ecdpm.org/work/what-does-regime-change-niger-mean-migration-cooperation-eu

Available in French (https://ecdpm.org/work/que-signifie-changement-regime-niger-pour-cooperation-matiere-migration-avec-lue)

4. Bisong, A. 2022. Labour mobility as a key element of the AfCFTA: What role for the Au’s free movement protocol? ECDPM Briefing note 153. 16 December 2022. https://ecdpm.org/application/files/5216/7119/6114/Labour-Mobility-Key-Element-AfCFTA-Role-AU-Free-Movement-Protocol-ECDPM-Briefing-Note-153-2022.pdf

5. Medinilla, A., Byiers, B., Wutz, I., Shiferaw, L.T., Apiko, P., Bisong, A., Ronceray, M. and Staeger, U. 2022. Regional organisations in Africa: What are the political economy dynamics? ECDPM Brief. https://ecdpm.org/work/regional-organisations-in-africa-what-are-the-political-economy-dynamics

6. Bisong, A. 2021. Regional solutions: Regulating recuruitment and potrection of African migrant workers in the Gulf and Middle East. ECDPM Discussion Paper 292. 8 February 2021. https://ecdpm.org/application/files/2916/5546/8585/Regional-Solutions-Regulating-Recruitment-Protection-African-Migrant-Workers-Gulf-Middle-East-ECDPM-Discussion-Paper-292-2020.pdf

7. Apiko, P., Bisong, A. and Byiers, B. 2021. Connecting African markets and people: streamlining regional trade and free movement protocols. ECDPM Discussion paper 311. 15 November 2021. https://ecdpm.org/application/files/3016/5538/7685/Connecting-markets-people-ECDPM-Discussion-Paper-311-2021.pdf

8. Bisong, A. and Miyandazi, L. 2020. Navigating the new normal: EU – AU partnerships in the post – COVID era – Editorial. Great insights magazine. 26 October 2020. https://ecdpm.org/work/navigating-the-new-normal-eu-au-partnerships-in-the-post-covid-era-volume-9-issue-3-2020/navigating-the-new-normal-eu-au-partnerships-in-the-post-covid-era-editorial

9. Bisong, A. 2020. Will COVID-19 change migraiton cooperation between European and African countries? ECDPM Briefing note 121. October 2020. https://ecdpm.org/application/files/7416/5546/8613/Will-COVID-19-Change-Migration-Cooperation-European-African-Countries-ECDPM-Briefing-Note-121-2020.pdf

10. Bisong, A. 2020. ECOWAS and the role fo the RECs in AfCFTA implementation. ECDPM Great Insights. 26 March 2020. https://ecdpm.org/work/the-african-continental-free-trade-area-from-agreement-to-impact-volume-9-issue-1-2020/ecowas-and-the-role-of-the-recs-in-afcfta-implementation

11. Bisong, A. 2020. Mayors on migration: ‘Change the narrative by changing the realities on the ground’. ECDPM Great Insights Magazine. 26 October 2020. https://ecdpm.org/work/navigating-the-new-normal-eu-au-partnerships-in-the-post-covid-era-volume-9-issue-3-2020/mayors-on-migration-change-the-narrative-by-changing-realities-on-the-ground

12. Bisong, A. 2020. Weathering the Storm: ECOWAS Integration in the Face of Covid-19. Chapter 7. Annual Report on African Economies. Policy Centre for the New South.https://www.policycenter.ma/publications/rapport-annuel-sur-economie-de-afrique-2020

13. Bisong, A., Ahairwe, P. and Njoroge, E. 2020. The impact of COVID-19 on remittrances for development in Africa. ECDPM Discussion paper 269. 04 May 2020. https://ecdpm.org/application/files/1516/5546/8632/Impact-COVID-19-remittances-development-Africa-ECDPM-discussion-paper-269-May-2020.pdf

14. Zanker, F., Arhin-Sam, K., Jegen, L. and Bisong, A. 2020. Free movement in West Africa: Juxtapositions and Divergent Interests. MEDAM policy brief 2020/1 | June 2020 ISSN 2626-4404 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Franzisca-Zanker/publication/342748104_Free_movement_in_West_Africa_Juxtapositions_and_Divergent_Interests/links/5f04a5a5299bf18816082e39/Free-movement-in-West-Africa-Juxtapositions-and-Divergent-Interests.pdf

15. Bisong, A. 2020. Policy Brief: The impact of EU external migration policies on sustainable development in Africa. FES & CARITAS. 16 October 2020. https://brussels.fes.de/fileadmin/public/editorfiles/events/2020/Q3/201012_Final_CE_FES_Policy_brief__The_impact_of_EU_external_migration_policies_on_sustainable_development_.pdf

16. Bisong, A. 2019. Assessing gender inclusion in the migraiton policies of ECOWAS. Africa Portal. Briefing paper. 6 August 2019. https://africaportal.org/publication/assessing-gender-inclusion-migration-policies-ecowas/

Reports 

1. Karkare, P., Byiers, B., Bisong, A., Ismail, F., and Agarwal, P. 2025. AfCFTA implementation challenges: Towards an African continental textiles and apparel value chain. ODI Global Report. London: ODI Global https://media.odi.org/documents/AfCFTA_implementation_challenges_African_textiles_and_apparel_value_chain_Final.pdf

2. Ahariwe, P. and Bisong, A. 2022. Supporting financial inclusion of migrants: Actors, approaches and avenues to overcome challenges. ECDPM Report. 28 March 2022. https://ecdpm.org/application/files/6916/5779/7958/Supporting-Financial-Inclusion-Migrants-Actors-Approaches-Avenues-Overcome-Challenges-ECDPM-Report-2022.pdf 

3. ECDPM. 2021. Implementation of The Talent Partnerships: What Potential Role For The Diaspora? EUDiF & MPF case study, Brussels: ICMPD. https://diasporafordevelopment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Case-Study-Talent-Partnerships_Long-Version_EN-22.pdf 

4. Bisong, A. and Knoll, A. 2020. Mapping private sector engagement along the migration cyclye. ECDPM Report. 16 March 2020. https://ecdpm.org/work/mapping-private-sector-engagement-along-the-migration-cycle

Blogs 

1. Bisong, A. 2025. Why young Africans are telling new stories about their migraiton and what this means. Migration Policy Centre. European University Insitute. 1 October 2025. https://migrationpolicycentre.eu/young-africans-and-new-stories-about-migration/ 

2. Bisong, A. 2025. Centering African Voices: Why EU Migration Policy Should Include African Perspectives. ISPI. 14 July 2025. https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/centering-african-voices-why-eu-migration-policy-should-include-african-perspectives-213176  

3. Byiers, B. and Bisong, A. 2025. From ‘one stop’ to ‘why stop’ borders? ECDPM Commentary. 11 June 2025 https://ecdpm.org/work/one-stop-why-stop-borders

4. Bisong, A. 2025. Geopolitical shifts and human mobility: rethinking EU-Africa migration cooperation. ECDPM Commentary. 14 May 2025. https://ecdpm.org/work/geopolitical-shifts-and-human-mobility-rethinking-eu-africa-migration-cooperation

5. Bisong, A. and Adossi, N. 2025. Kenya and Ghana’s visa reforms: paving the way for free movement in Africa. ECDPM Commentary. 19 February 2025. https://ecdpm.org/work/kenya-and-ghanas-visa-reforms-paving-way-free-movement-africa

6. Bisong, A. 2024. What African countries can do to improve labour mobility. ECDPM Commentary. 11 December 2024. https://ecdpm.org/work/what-african-countries-can-do-improve-labour-mobility

7. Bisong, A. and Byiers, B. 2024. Africa’s economic integration: how to link trade and mobility policies. ECDPM Commentary. 13 November 2024. https://ecdpm.org/work/africas-economic-integration-how-link-trade-and-mobility-policies

8. Zanker, F., Bisong, A. and Jegen, L. 2024. Free movement in West Africa: three countries leaving ECOWAS could face migration hurdles. The Conversation, 21 February. Available at: https://theconversation.com/free-movement-in-west-africa-three-countries-leaving-ecowas-could-face-migration-hurdles-222826

9. Bisong, A. 2023. Square pegs in round holes: using trade conditionalities to foster migration cooperation between the EU and third countries. EU Immigration and Asylum Law and Policy, 11 October. Available at: https://eumigrationlawblog.eu/square-pegs-in-round-holes-using-trade-conditionalities-to-foster-migration-cooperation-between-the-eu-and-third-countries/ 

10. Byiers, B., Karkare, P, Bisong, A. and Ronceray, M. 2023. Niger’s coup: who loses from ECOWAS sanctions? ECDPM Commentary. 18 September 2023. https://ecdpm.org/work/nigers-coup-who-loses-ecowas-sanctions

11. Zanker, F., Bisong, A. and Jegen, L. 2022. Free movement in West Africa: the culture of mobility still matters despite challenges. The Conversation, 24 August. Available at: https://theconversation.com/free-movement-in-west-africa-the-culture-of-mobility-still-matters-despite-challenges-188607

12. Bisong, A. and Knoll, A. 2022. Why migration and mobility should- but probably won’t-be at the heart of the EU-AU summit. ECDPM Commentary. 7 February 2022. https://ecdpm.org/work/why-migration-and-mobility-should-but-probably-wont-be-at-the-heart-of-the-eu-au-summit

13. Byiers, B., Karkare, P., Medinilla, A. and Bisong, A. 2021. Africa Day: The AU’s role in African and global affairs – Part 2. ECDPM Commentary. 31 May 2021. https://ecdpm.org/work/africa-day-the-aus-role-in-african-and-global-affairs-part-2

14. Bisong, A. and Mayer, N. 2021. Connecting people and markets in Africa in 2021. ECDPM Commentary. 8 February 2021. https://ecdpm.org/work/connecting-people-and-markets-in-africa-in-2021

15. Knoll, A. and Bisong, A. 2020. Migration, mobility and COVID-19 – A tale of many tales. ECDPM Commentary. 30 March 2020. https://ecdpm.org/work/migration-mobility-and-covid-19-a-tale-of-many-tales

16. Bisong, A. 2020. The new EU visa code and what it means for African countries. ECDPM Commentary. 06 April 2020. https://ecdpm.org/work/the-new-eu-visa-code-and-what-it-means-for-african-countries

17. Bisong, A. and Teevan, C. 2019. Von der Leyen in Addis Ababa: Seven ingredients for a successful first date. Euractiv. 6 December 2019. https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/opinion/von-der-leyen-in-addis-ababa-seven-ingredients-for-a-successful-first-date/ 

18. Bisong, A. 2019. Crafing the African response to European external migration policies. ECDPM Commentary. 30 September 2019. https://ecdpm.org/work/crafting-the-african-response-to-european-external-migration-policies

19. Bisong, A. 2019. Win-win-win: Africa and Europe in 2019 should move towards solutions that benefit migrants too. ECDPM Commentary. 28 January 2019. https://ecdpm.org/work/win-win-win-africa-and-europe-in-2019-should-move-towards-solutions-that-benefit-migrants-too

Podcasts

1. Nogales, R. J., Lori, N. and Bisong, A. 2025. Episode 35: Human Mobility and International Law. EJIL: The podcast! 30 June 2025. https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/episode-35-human-mobility-and-international-law/id1508367340?i=1000715075851 

2. Bisong, A. 2025. Shifting borders, navigating free movement, trade and migration in West Africa. ECOWhat. GIZ ECOWAS. 24 February 2025. https://spoti.fi/4iq29jY 

3. Bisong, A. 2024. Governing migration between Europe and West Africa: ‘Cooperation’ and its discontents. Curated conversations, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, 22 April 2024. https://hoa.boell.org/en/media/audio/episode-7-eu-africa-cooperation-its-discontents

4. Kandilinge, L., Geddes, A. & Bisong, A. 2024. Brokering borders: EU bilateral agreements and the price of ‘return migration. Borders and Belonging, Toronto Metropolitan University, 5 December 2023. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/brokering-borders-eu-bilateral-agreements-and-the/id1650221450?i=1000637534693 

5. Bisong, A. & Loksan H. 2021. Episode 26: The state of free movement of persons in Africa The Migration & Diaspora Podcast. Homelands Advisory. 4 June 2021. https://www.homelandsadvisory.com/podcast/episode/1da90962/episode-26-the-state-of-free-movement-of-persons-in-africa