By Adama Whyte Conteh
The Building Inclusive Business Ecosystems for Stabilization and Transformation (BI-BEST) Project has commenced a two-day training workshop on Custom/Trade Procedures and Requirements at Border Posts for women cross-border traders (WCBTs) in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The training started in Foya District this morning, attracting 60 women trading in the three value chains- cassava, palm oil, and vegetables- from both the Liberian side and from across the border (Koindu, Eastern Sierra Leone), and will also be replicated in Jendema (Sierra Leone) for the Bo Waterside-Jendema crossing point. It will address one of the issues raised by women during a recent policy dialogue on trade harmonization, highlighting the critical need for greater awareness of customs and trade procedures to facilitate smoother cross-border trade.
At the end of this training, WCBTs would have acquired skills in preventing and addressing harassment, violence, and other security threats, with a focus on reducing Gender-Based Violence (GBV); clear guidance on tariff payments, inspection processes, and documentation needed for the swift clearance of goods at border posts; improve interactions with border officials and suppliers, thereby enhancing trade relations and profitability; and leveraging technology to benefit from financial technologies like mobile money, and accessing vital market information via mobile phones for timely business decision-making.
The Project Coordinator and also Mano River Union’s Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security, Good Governance and Social Welfare, Madame Ange Konan- Monu says the core component of the workshops will be the direct interaction between the women traders and customs and revenue officers from both Liberia and Sierra Leone. This dialogue is expected to build mutual understanding, strengthen networks, and clarify procedures, thereby reducing bottlenecks and fostering a more conducive trading environment.
“I expect that at the end of this training, we will be able to acquire skills in preventing sexual harassment and violence against women, with a focus on reducing security threats at our borders. I also expect that our sisters engaged in cross-border trading will have a clear understanding of tariff payments, as well as improvements in the use of technology, etc. The BI-BEST project is also fundamentally about creating inclusive and sustainable market ecosystems, By directly addressing the knowledge gaps and challenges faced by women cross-border traders, we are not only empowering them individually but also strengthening the economic fabric and social cohesion of the entire Mano River Union sub-region. These workshops are a pivotal step towards ensuring that women traders can conduct their business safely, efficiently, and profitably.”
Bintu Finda Komeh, a cassava trader from Koindu, says the training is a sigh of relief, as it empowers them to interact better with border authorities. She says this training will not only help their businesses, but also their peace of mind. “Most times some of us do not know exactly what to do at border crossing points, and this subjects us to harassments, or even breaking the law mistakenly. This training will better help us navigate the border crossings with ease.” Finda further said trainings like this are essential to not only improve profit margins, but to also improve the business environment.
The Mayor of Foyah City His Worship Josiah Saakeh, welcomed the participants and said securing the human rights WCBTs is top priority in border towns, as these women are trade ambassadors in their own right. “When our Women traders are happy and secured, our homes flourish, our children are well-taken care of, and our economy booms. It is my responsibility as a local authority to work with my counterparts across the border and border authorities to ensure that our women, both here and from Koindu are empowered protected and as they cross the border.”
About the BI-BEST Project:
The Build Inclusive Business Ecosystems for Stabilization and Transformation (BI-BEST) project is implemented by the MRU, with funds from the African Development Bank. It aims to empower women cross-border traders by providing them with skills, access to markets and finance, and support for business formalization, thereby fostering economic stabilization and transformation in the border communities of Liberia and Sierra Leone
