Empowering Women Traders in West Africa

Small-scale women traders in West Africa now have better resources to understand and actively participate in the regional integration process. This objective is at the heart of the 2025 edition of the Awareness, Information, and Training Caravan, initiated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Togo leg, held in early July along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, reached a wide audience of cross-border women traders. This event provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen women's knowledge of community regulations, economic integration mechanisms, and trade facilitation mechanisms, such as the SEGUCE Single Window and the Togo Trade Portal.

The Minister for the Advancement of Women, Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, highlighted the importance of small-scale cross-border trade, calling it a "powerful lever for economic and social development." She added: "Supporting these women means investing in regional cohesion and building a model of inclusive growth, where every actor finds their place and dignity."

In Togo, women play a crucial role in the economy. They actively contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and represent a majority in the informal sector. Their significant participation in the volume of commercial activities underscores the need to provide them with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate a constantly changing economic environment.

The Emissary