As part of implementing the third edition of the information and awareness campaign for small cross-border traders along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, the Department of Human Development and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, launched the Lomé stage of the project in Lomé, Togo.
The aim of this campaign is to build on the achievements and results of the 2023 and 2024 editions conducted along the Tema-Paga and Dakar-Banjul-Bissau Corridors.
This is essential to facilitate cross-border trade and improve the operations of small-scale women traders by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the texts governing cross-border trade and related community initiatives.
The ceremony, attended by Minister for Social Action, Solidarity and the Advancement of Women, Professor Kossiwa Zinsou-Klasso, took place against the backdrop of ECOWAS’ golden jubilee.
It was also an opportunity to raise awareness among women traders about ECOWAS cross-border agri-food trade initiatives, policies, and strategies, especially the Regional Programme for the Integration of Agricultural Markets – PRIMA (2021-2026), covering Togo and Benin, and to build the capacity of women traders using the toolkit developed by ITC for women involved in small-scale cross-border trade (Transparency at the border and Combating gender-based violence).
The sensitisation drive, jointly developed by the Human Development and Social Affairs Department and the Economic Affairs and Agriculture Department, is scheduled to run from 30 June to 15 July 2025.
The core aim remains to simplify and facilitate cross-border trade for small-scale merchants by improving their understanding of the various regional texts governing commerce and related community initiatives.
Beyond regulation, the campaign aims to highlight ECOWAS’ achievements across the sub-region in advancing women’s rights, particularly within the trading sector.
According to ECOWAS, this focus is vital in laying the groundwork for a comprehensive regional trade facilitation programme specifically tailored for women and young people, who together form the backbone of small-scale cross-border trade.
The 2025 campaign spans the entire Abidjan-Lagos axis, beginning in Abidjan from 30 June to 2 July, then moving to Lomé (3-6 July), Cotonou (6-9 July), and ending in Lagos (10-14 July 2025).
The Commission stated that each stop includes high-impact activities, such as official launching ceremonies to garner support from authorities and stakeholders, town hall meetings dedicated to exploring ECOWAS trade policies and strategies, and intensive training workshops focused on women’s rights within the complex dynamics of cross-border trade.
Practical site visits to local markets, key trading hubs, and women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also part of the programme. These visits are essential for assessing immediate challenges and identifying tangible opportunities for traders.
The campaign also emphasises direct engagement with administrative and local authorities, serving as a vital platform for lobbying to foster a more supportive environment for the growth of small-scale women traders.
Through these engagements, ECOWAS aims to gather relevant information to strengthen its database on women entrepreneurs and to evaluate the practical execution of existing mechanisms and infrastructure designed to facilitate the movement of agricultural products across borders.
