Mano River Union Delegation Studies Successful Border Post Model to Enhance Women’s Cross-Border Trade
The Mano River Union (MRU) delegation recently concluded a successful research journey on the “Busia One Stop Border Post” (OSBP) between Kenya and Uganda, thus achieving effective cross-border trade for effective female traders Valuable insights from the system. The trip will bring businesswomen and border officials from Liberia and Sierra Leone together with representatives from the African Development Bank (www.afdb.org).
Busia OSBP is one of the busiest border crossings in East Africa, handling more than 3,000 people and 900 passing vehicles a day, and has transformed cross-border trade since its inception in 2018. The facility is a model for simplifying border procedures between Kenya and Uganda for the efficiency of trade and the significant improvements in women’s empowerment.
Nelly Maina, chief gender official of the African Development Bank who led the bank’s delegation, said the Busia OSBP embodies structured trade promotion and targeted support for how to promote women’s economic capacity in cross-border trade. “It raises the importance of working with government agencies, as well as providing basic resources such as training, capacity building and infrastructure, as well as the development of inclusive policies for women’s specific needs.”
The trip is part of an inclusive business ecosystem for the African Development Bank-funded Stability and Transformation (BI-Best) project, which aims to enhance the capacity of 1,500 businesswomen in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The project focuses on enhancing participation in cross-border value chains to achieve resilient economic growth and social cohesion.
The delegation discussed with Kenya’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, the National AFCFTA Council, African Trademarks, Busia Border Management Authority, and local women’s cross-border merchants who shared their experiences on the transformative impact of OSBP.
Businesswomen from Kenya and Uganda detail how OSBP, which operates since 2018, has enhanced its ability to operate seamlessly across borders. “I buy Irish potatoes in Kenya and then take them to Uganda and then buy corn in Uganda and return it to Kenya. I am now a mature cross-border trader, inspired and sensitive,” said Mercy Mugo, a businessman in the town of Busia.
Another businessman, Florence Atieno, highlighted the broader social interests of an inclusive trade environment: “We believe that by meeting the key needs of women in trade, we can positively impact the community and promote Overall economic well-being.”
Delegates from Sierra Leone and Liberia found the experience particularly inspiring. Betty R. Kamara of Sierra Leone, Esther Tamba from Liberia said: “I will meet with my Women’s Association, the Good Seed in Liberia, share Lessons learned from Kenyan businesswomen.
The tour highlights the key role of infrastructure and policies in creating a safer and more inclusive trade environment for women. For example, in the Busia OSBP, a day care center has been established to support businesswomen and local business owners, many of whom had to bring babies to the market before – putting them at risk such as child trafficking, accidents and abuse. The center now offers accessible, affordable parenting, enabling women to focus on trade, entrepreneurship and employment.
According to the Joint Border Management Commission, Busia OSPB has changed cross-border trade. Prior to its inception, traders endured long-term clearance cohorts and complex bureaucratic procedures, women were particularly vulnerable to security risks and lacked storage facilities for unsold goods. Many rely on intermediaries to facilitate their passage. Today, the simplified trade regime (STR), certificates of origin and other accessible documents have replaced lengthy procedures that allow women to manage their transactions independently. Now a dedicated reporting station allows women to express their concerns, while new facilities, including breastfeeding rooms and secure storage, are full of transactional experience.
Through the ongoing sensitization efforts of the government and private sectors of Kenya and Uganda, businesswomen are now more aware of their rights and available resources. Training courses provide guidance on trade procedures, document requirements and trader rights, thereby promoting a more inclusive trading environment.
“By applying these insights in the MRU, we look forward to contributing to the inclusive business ecosystem in the West African region,” said Betty Kamara of Sierra Leone.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of the African Development Bank Group (AFDB).
