Women Cross-Border Traders Trained on Customs and Trade Procedures

Foya District, Lofa County: Over 60 women cross-border traders from Liberia and Sierra Leone have begun a two-day training workshop on Customs and Trade Procedures at Border Posts, organized under the Building Inclusive Business Ecosystems for Stabilization and Transformation (BI-BEST) Project.

The training, launched Thursday in Foya District, brings together women engaged in cassava, palm oil, and vegetable trade from the Liberian side and from across the border (Koindu, Eastern Sierra Leone). A similar session will also be held in Jendema, Sierra Leone, targeting traders at the Bo Waterside–Jendema crossing point.

The initiative follows recent policy dialogues on trade harmonization, where women traders highlighted the need for greater awareness of customs and trade procedures to ensure smoother and safer cross-border transactions.

Participants will gain practical knowledge in several key areas, including tariff payments, inspection processes, documentation, and digital financial tools. The training also addresses issues of harassment, violence, and gender-based threats, aiming to improve women’s safety, confidence, and profitability in cross-border trade.

According to Madame Ange Konan-Monu, BI-BEST Project Coordinator and Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security, Good Governance, and Social Welfare at the Mano River Union (MRU), the workshop emphasizes direct engagement between women traders and customs and revenue officers from both countries.

“This training is designed to build mutual understanding and strengthen networks between traders and border officials. By addressing knowledge gaps and security challenges, we are empowering women traders and enhancing the economic and social fabric of the entire Mano River sub-region.” She indicated.

Madame Konan-Monu added that the BI-BEST Project aims to create inclusive and sustainable market ecosystems, ensuring women can trade safely, efficiently, and profitably.

For many participants, the training represents a long-awaited solution. Bintu Finda Komeh, a cassava trader from Koindu, described it as “a sigh of relief,” saying it would help them interact better with authorities and avoid unintentional violations.

“Sometimes we don’t know what to do at the border, which can lead to harassment or mistakes. Now we can trade with confidence and peace of mind.” She said.

Welcoming participants, Foya City Mayor Josiah Saakeh praised the initiative, emphasizing that supporting women cross-border traders is crucial for community growth and regional stability.

“When our women traders are safe and empowered, our homes and economies thrive. It is our duty as local leaders to protect and support them as they cross borders to do business.” He noted.

The BI-BEST training underscores a growing regional commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and improving trade relations within the Mano River Union, fostering stability, inclusion, and prosperity across West Africa.

Written By: Jerry Laynumah Siakor

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