Drawing on interviews with 400 women traders across ECOWAS member states, this report documents the regulatory, logistical, and social barriers that disproportionately burden women in cross-border trade — and presents evidence-based solutions adopted in comparable contexts.
Women traders spend on average 47% more time at border crossings than male traders due to harassment and arbitrary documentation requests
Informal payments demanded from women traders represent 8-15% of shipment value versus 2-4% for men
Women trade predominantly in goods subject to the highest number of non-tariff barriers
Fast-track corridors piloted in 3 ECOWAS countries reduced women traders' crossing time by 62%
Standardize documentation requirements across ECOWAS with specific guidance on women trader rights
Deploy women border officials in all major crossing points
Establish a Women Traders Ombudsman function within ECOWAS trade facilitation structures
Create a digital trade documentation system to reduce physical interaction and opportunities for harassment
Dr. Ngozi Adeyemi, ACE Advisors Research Team (2025). Breaking Barriers: Women Entrepreneurs in West African Cross-Border Trade. EmpowerHER / ACE Advisors.
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