Today, feeling “at home” is no longer a certainty. For thousands of young Africans, this sense of belonging is tested by a system of borders: geographical, administrative, economic, that shapes their future. In a world where travel is a right for some and an unattainable dream for others, how do we define the idea of “home”? What is it truly based on: place of birth, legal documents, how others perceive you, safety or dignity?

In the “Henley Passport Index 2024”, Togo ranks among the countries whose citizens have limited access to other territories: only 60 destinations without a visa, compared to over 192 for a European passport. This imbalance is not just administrative, it is existential.

The Henley Passport Index 2024, published by Henley & Partners, ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. Singapore holds the most powerful passport in 2024, granting visa-free access to 195 destinations. Japan, France, Italy, Spain and Germany also rank high, with access to 192 destinations. Togo is ranked 63rd on the index.

Migration: compelled by necessity rather than choice

Borders do not just regulate movement – they create forced paths. For many, migration is not just a whim; it is an escape route. Togo’s unemployment rate dropped slightly from 3.20% in 2023 to 3.10% in 2024. On average, unemployment in Togo stood at 4% between 1991 and 2024, peaking at 4.70% in 2014 and hitting a record low of 3.10% in 2024, according to Trading Economics. compounding the situation are climate instability, conflict and a lack of local opportunities.

Conditional “Home” for migrants

Even after years abroad, many migrants are never fully considered “at home.” In 2022,  about 1.08 million non-EU citizens were living irregularly in the European Union (EU) – an increase of 59% compared to 2021 (679 730) – often in precarious conditions.

Redefining “Home”: a right, not a privilege

Too often, young Africans are confined by unjust migration policies. Yet, freedom of movement is a fundamental right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 13). Redefining what it means to be “at home” also means questioning a system where mobility is a privilege for the few.

Toward more humane alternatives

There is a need to move away from a narrow view of belonging. Legal and safe mobility pathways (scholarships, volunteering, circular migration programmes) can be promoted and strengthen access to reliable information to avoid the false hopes and dangers of irregular migration.

Being at home means feeling safe, recognised and free to come and go. As long as that remains a luxury for part of the world, the border will not only be a line on a map – it will be an open sore in our shared humanity.