Men continue to dominate Ghana’s informal cross-border trade, accounting for the majority of exports and imports, but women remain the driving force in on-foot trading, which forms the backbone of small-scale border commerce, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The new report, Ghana’s first comprehensive measurement of Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT), found that 65.7% of informal exports and 58.7% of informal imports were conducted by men during the fourth quarter of 2024.
In contrast, women represented over 70% of on-foot traders, highlighting their indispensable role in sustaining household economies and border markets.
According to the GSS, men dominate transport-based informal trade, especially in vehicle and motorbike-assisted exports and imports.
Motorbike operators, overwhelmingly male accounted for over 80% of informal exports and imports using this mode of transport.
Women, however, led in low-volume, high-frequency trade activities, typically crossing borders on foot or by bicycle.
These female traders often called “market carriers” or “kayayei” in Ghana move food, beverages, and household essentials daily between border markets in Aflao, Elubo, Paga, Hamile, and other crossing points.
“These women form the lifeblood of informal trade,” said Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, Government Statistician, at the report’s launch in Accra. “Their efforts sustain families, stabilize local food markets, and foster cross-border social ties.”
While men dominate large-scale, vehicle-based transactions, women are more visible in petty trading and short-distance mobility commerce.
This gender split, experts argue, is a reflection of unequal access to transport, capital, and security, not a lack of enterprise among women.
The GSS emphasized that informal trade remains a crucial source of livelihood and safety net for women and youth in border communities.
In many cases, it serves as the primary source of income for households where formal employment opportunities are scarce.
Dr. Iddrisu explained that women’s participation in on-foot trade “anchors family resilience” during economic shocks.
“When inflation or currency depreciation hits formal markets, these traders keep goods moving and food available at affordable prices,” he said.
Data from the report show that women-led informal trade is particularly significant in northern and coastal Ghana, where cross-border transactions provide both income and social stability.
Despite their strong participation, female traders face multiple barriers.
The report identifies insecurity, harassment at border points, limited credit access, and lack of storage or transport facilities as persistent challenges.
Many women also operate without identification or trade documentation, exposing them to extortion and the loss of goods during inspections.
The GSS recommends integrating gender considerations into trade facilitation policies, ensuring women traders receive tailored support, including training in basic accounting, digital finance, and product quality standards.
According to Dr. Iddrisu, “AfCFTA cannot succeed without recognizing informal women traders. They embody the spirit of integration — connecting communities, moving goods, and sharing opportunity.”
He urged regional governments to adopt Simplified Trade Regimes (STRs) that reduce paperwork and allow women to trade small quantities legally and safely.
The GSS report added that closing gender gaps in informal trade requires visibility, data, and policy attention.
Recognizing the scale of women’s contribution to border economies could transform informal trade from a survival mechanism into a sustainable engine for inclusive growth.
