The IBSM supports West African governments in developing and implementing their national and regional border governance and security strategies through optimized capacity-building programs, technical assistance, and the facilitation of cross-border cooperation. While the geographical scope of the mechanism can expand, the current IBSM focus countries are: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. This group of states has been identified as sharing those border areas that are currently of particular concern with regard to regional stability.