First Trade Policy Dialogue Held in Freetown to Promote Cross-Border Trade for Women Traders.
The first-ever Trade Policy Dialogue, organized under the “Building Inclusive Business Ecosystems for Transformation” (BI-BEST) project, was successfully held in Freetown on June 8-9, 2024. This landmark event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials from Liberia and Sierra Leone, women cross-border traders, and other key participants to address the challenges affecting cross-border trade, particularly for women.
The dialogue, facilitated through a series of discussions and working sessions, aimed to promote trade harmonization between Liberia and Sierra Leone, with a special focus on fostering inclusive economic growth and regional integration. Experts in trade and gender policy, national policymakers, and representatives from various organizations gathered to explore solutions for boosting trade cooperation, with a specific emphasis on empowering women traders in cross-border value chains.
The BI-BEST project is committed to supporting women traders in the Mano River Union (MRU) region, particularly in overcoming the challenges they face in cross-border trade. With women representing a significant portion of the informal trading sector, the dialogue sought to address issues such as limited access to finance, regulatory barriers, and gender-based violence (GBV), all of which impede women from fully benefiting from trade opportunities.
Gender Expert Presenting on WCBT Gender Challenges
The BI-BEST project’s primary goal is to empower women traders by facilitating their access to skills, markets, and capital, and creating inclusive business environments. The dialogue presented an opportunity for women traders to share their experiences, challenges, and strategies with government officials and policy experts, while also learning about the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).
The two-day event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on several critical topics, including:
- Trading under the AfCFTA and ETLS: Participants explored how these regional agreements could be harnessed to reduce trade barriers and create more opportunities for women traders.
- Trade Challenges and Opportunities: The dialogue focused on specific value chains such as palm oil, cassava, and vegetables, examining how women traders could better navigate cross-border trade through these products.
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV): The harmful effects of GBV on women traders were highlighted, and strategies for raising awareness and improving GBV prevention at border points were discussed. One of the proposed solutions was the establishment of one-stop shops at border locations to handle GBV cases effectively.
The outcomes of the dialogue included recommendations for ongoing collaboration between Sierra Leone and Liberia, the development of gender-responsive trade policies, and the implementation of infrastructure improvements at key border crossings. Participants emphasized the need for continued dialogue and partnership between government agencies, trade associations, and development partners to ensure that women traders are fully supported in their efforts to grow their businesses and contribute to economic development in the region.
As Sierra Leone and Liberia move towards greater trade harmonization, the BI-BEST project will continue to play a critical role in empowering women traders, fostering social cohesion, and promoting resilient cross-border trade in the MRU region.
Figure 1: Gender Expert Presenting on WCBT Gender Challenges
