ECOWAS launches regional fortnight to empower women cross-border traders
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a regional fortnight aimed at strengthening the leadership and economic empowerment of women engaged in small-scale cross-border trade across the subregion.
The initiative, launched on Thursday, June 18, in Lomé, Togo, seeks to promote women traders as key drivers of regional integration in West Africa.
The programme is being held under the theme, “Women Cross-Border Traders: Driving Regional Integration for 50 Years.”
The official ceremony was presided over by Togo’s Minister of Economy and Strategic Planning, H.E. Badanam Patoki, on behalf of the Togolese government.
He was joined by senior ECOWAS officials and development partners at the launch event, according to a news release shared on Friday.
The event brought together representatives of member states, ECOWAS institutions, technical and financial partners, the private sector, and associations of cross-border women traders.