Cross-border women traders receive technological support
The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, has distributed smartphones to 20 selected cross-border women importer traders from various sectors and regions across the country.
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Dubbed: “ECOWAS Cross Border Cooperation Women in Development Network project”, it is aimed at empowering women involved in cross-border trade, as well as facilitating a smooth cross-border trade and building the capacity of small-scale traders.
The initiative is part of the ministry’s strategy to enhance the capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and integrate them into the global market.
The programme specifically targets women, who form a substantial portion of the cross-border trading community but often face challenges such as limited access to technology and resources.
The initiative also aligns with regional efforts to promote trade and economic collaboration within the ECOWAS and pave the way for a more resilient and competitive trade ecosystem in West Africa.
Event
The presentation was done at a workshop to train the 20 cross-border women traders organised by the ministry in Accra last Monday.
The training session was to equip these traders to effectively use these digital tools to optimise their business operations. The training covered a range of topics, including digital literacy, e-commerce and financial management and it is to ensure that participants gained practical knowledge and skills that can be directly applied to their businesses.
Digital Inclusion
The Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry, Nana Dokua Asiamah Adjei, said the initiative aimed to ensure the digital inclusion of women and businesses of all sizes to benefit from technological advancements.
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The provision of the gadgets, she said, aimed at bridging the digital divide and enabling women traders to access information, conduct transactions, and connect with markets more efficiently.
“With support from ECOWAS, equipping them with the necessary tools and skills, we are not only empowering them and enhancing the capabilities of individual businesses but also contributing to the overall economic resilience and growth of the nation,” she added.
The initiative, she said, was to support the private sector, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country and to also create a more conducive environment for traders to thrive and contribute to the country's economic growth.
The initiative, she said, was to see how importers conducted business online by enabling them to embrace advanced digital tools, thereby reducing the reliance on physical travel and enhancing operational efficiency.
She said the ministry was committed to creating policies and programmes that would empower the private sector and ensure that traders had the resources they needed to succeed.
Challenge
She said one major challenge cross-border women traders faced was trade finance, adding: “So there is a need to train and support our traders to effectively manage their information on storage, cash flow, and other business operations”.
She expressed the hope that the gadgets provided would have a positive impact on traders' ability to manage their businesses, facilitate seamless online business transactions, and foster a more connected and efficient trade environment.
She said the ministry was committed to refining and expanding the programme based on the success of the pilot, to ensure that more traders benefit from these digital advancements and contribute to the country’s economic growth.