The Building Inclusive Business Ecosystems for Stabilization and Transformation (BI-BEST) project is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women traders in cross-border value chains within the Mano River Union region. The project is designed to promote resilient economic growth and cohesive social progress by enhancing the participation of women in trade and entrepreneurship.

Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the BI-BEST project is being implemented in Liberia and Sierra Leone over a period from February 2022 to June 2025. The project focuses on several key objectives, including enhancing the gender equality index within the MRU, reducing tariff and non-tariff costs of trading across selected borders, and improving the Business Resilience Index (BRI) in the region.

One of the significant achievements of the project has been the completion of beneficiary profiling, which has helped to identify the specific needs and challenges faced by women traders. The project has also launched a gender-based violence (GBV) campaign in project communities, addressing one of the critical barriers to women’s participation in trade.

The MRU Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the BI-BEST project, working with national governments, civil society organizations, and international partners to achieve its objectives. The project is expected to contribute to the economic empowerment of women, increase their participation in cross-border trade, and promote social cohesion within the MRU region.