Internal mobility, particularly the movement of populations from rural to urban areas, is one of the most striking demographic phenomena of the 21st century. This is particularly evident in Africa, where rapid urbanisation is transforming the social and economic structures of cities. This raises the important question of whether internal migration increases the risk of urban violence. To reliably answer this question, it is necessary to distinguish between different types of internal mobility, examine the social and economic mechanisms at play, and draw on international research in this field.

Africa is experiencing rapid urbanisation, driven by population growth, rural-urban migration, and the search for economic opportunities in cities. According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), nearly half of the violence observed in certain contexts in North and West Africa, occurs near urban areas. This emphasises the importance of cities as areas to be considered in security and development policies.

Rapid urbanisation is often driven by internal migration, with young people leaving rural areas in search of employment, educational or public services. This can result in urban centres experiencing rapid population growth without the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the new arrivals.

Internal mobility and urban insecurity

There is no simple answer to the question of whether internal mobility directly causes urban violence. The links are not automatically linear: migration itself does not ‘create’ violence, but it can interact with other structural factors.

Socio-economic factors and poverty

When internal migrants settle in peri-urban areas or informal neighbourhoods without adequate services such as housing, employment and education, social inequalities and frustrations can increase. Difficult living conditions, particularly for unemployed young people, can contribute to community tensions and delinquency, especially in contexts where the State is unable to meet social needs.

Daily mobility dynamics and crime

Recent research has examined the link between daily commutes to urban centres and variations in crime rates, focusing particularly on commuter flows and temporary internal migration. A 2025 study found that an additional 1% of inbound commuters in certain large cities was linked to a notable increase in crimes such as theft and burglary, even when the population remained stable. This suggests that the structure of mobility flows in urban areas can influence certain types of crime.

Perception of insecurity and restricted mobility

The urban data science study ‘Feelings of insecurity as a gender-specific constraint on urban mobility’, shows that the fear of violence can restrict residents’ daily mobility, with different effects depending on gender. When individuals perceive their urban environment as dangerous, they alter their travel habits and move around less freely. This impacts social interactions and community dynamics.

But what causes the interaction between mobility and urban violence?

Several theoretical frameworks in criminology aim to explain these mechanisms, including the theory of social disorganisation. According to this theory, urban neighbourhoods characterised by high residential mobility, socio-economic heterogeneity and low social capital are less able to help their residents achieve common goals, which can encourage crime and urban violence. In the context of internal migration, these conditions can be exacerbated, fuelling community tensions.

Internal mobility, social networks and cohesion

If accompanied by inclusive policies, however, internal mobility can strengthen social cohesion. The successful integration of new residents into urban social networks, coupled with access to employment and community participation, can mitigate the risk of violence.

Research conducted by the International Development Research Centre  (IDRC) highlights how internal mobility can be associated with complex forms of inclusion and exclusion in cities. According to their findings, how internal migrants integrate (or fail to integrate) into local social structures directly influences the likelihood of urban violence.

This body of research indicates that strong social ties, access to services, integration into local associations and community cohesion can act as a safeguard against violence.

The African case: unique urbanisation

Although urban areas often experience violence linked to social tensions and inequalities, specialist publications on Africa show that this is not necessarily an extension of rural violence into the city. A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on North and West Africa indicates that cities are pivotal in terms of exercising authority, accessing economic opportunities and achieving human development. However, the report also suggests that urban growth requires more effective security and inclusion policies.

This implies that the relationship between internal migration and urban violence depends heavily on governance, public investment in housing, social services, employment and urban prevention strategies.

Aggravating factors including density, poverty and exclusion

Although there is no scientific consensus on a direct link between internal migration and violence, certain conditions exacerbated by mobility can increase the risk of violence.

Precarious housing and vulnerabilities: Internal migrants, who are often poor, settle in poorly planned peripheral areas. This creates neighbourhoods where a lack of infrastructure and services worsens as the population density increases. In contexts such as Chana, internal mobility is associated with precarious housing, which is linked to social challenges such as security, health and cohesion.

Social fragmentation and ethnic diversity: Studies have shown that the relationship between urban growth and violence depends on local diversity and how resources are redistributed among groups. In some contexts, internal migration can increase local diversity without equitable redistribution mechanisms being in place, thereby exacerbating tensions between groups.

Togo and urban patterns

Although data on Togo is limited, analysis of trends across Africa shows that internal rural-urban migration is driven by economic, educational and social factors. Integrating young migrants into cities can pose a challenge to social cohesion and urban peace. In many African cities, tensions related to youth unemployment and unequal access to services can create an environment conducive to crime and community conflict if not addressed effectively. This theoretical framework also applies to urban contexts such as Lomé, Kara and Kpalimé, where rapid population growth presents challenges for local governance.

Recommendations for peaceful internal mobility

A combined approach is required to reduce the potential links between internal mobility and urban violence:

Inclusive urban policies should be strengthened with investments in housing, employment, education and health for internal migrants.

Improve community public safety by building relationships of trust between law enforcement agencies and local populations.

Implement social integration programmes that promote community networks and reduce socio-cultural exclusion.

In order to better understand the dynamics of mobility and violence in Togolese and African cities, it is necessary to collect relevant local data.

Whether internal mobility is a cause of urban violence cannot be answered with a simple, unequivocal response.  In contexts of poverty, exclusion or poor public services, internal migration and rapid urbanisation can exacerbate existing fragility. However, they are not a direct cause of violence. Rather, it is social, economic and political structures that determine the impact of these movements on urban security.