A delegation from the Mano River Union (MRU) recently completed a successful visit to the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) between Kenya and Uganda to study efficient cross-border trading systems that support women traders. The delegation included women traders and border officials from Liberia and Sierra Leone, along with African Development Bank representatives.
Established in 2018, the Busia OSBP is one of East Africa’s busiest border crossings, managing over 3,000 people and 900 vehicles daily. The facility has revolutionised cross-border commerce and serves as an exemplar for streamlined border procedures between the two nations. The visit was part of the African Development Bank’s BI-BEST project, which aims to support 1,500 women traders in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The delegation met with various Kenyan officials and local women traders, who shared their experiences of the OSBP’s positive impact.
Notable improvements at the border post include a children’s daycare centre, simplified trade procedures, and dedicated support facilities for women traders. Local traders reported significant benefits, whilst delegates from Sierra Leone and Liberia expressed enthusiasm about implementing similar systems in their regions.
Read the original article here: https://afdb.africa-newsroom.com/press/mano-river-union-delegation-studies-successful-border-post-model-to-enhance-womens-crossborder-trade?lang=en