The free movement of people and goods is one of the founding principles of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In practice, however, small migrant traders encounter numerous obstacles at borders, including multiple checks, administrative red tape, racketeering and occasional closures. These ‘border barriers’, whether official or informal, have a particularly negative impact on small-scale traders, most of whom are women, who depend on cross-border trade to survive.

Small-scale cross-border trade plays a significant role in the West African economy. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) report « Study On Women In Small-Scale Cross-Border Trade – Benin, Ghana And Togo », between 30% and 40% of intra-African trade relies on the informal networks established by these traders. Examples of this include the border markets of Lomé-Aflao border market (Togo–Ghana), Cinkassé border market (Togo–Burkina Faso) and the Hillacondji border market (Togo–Benin). These channels ensure a steady supply of food, textiles and other basic necessities for millions of consumers.

What are border checkpoints?

There are several types, including official government-imposed closures, such as the unilateral closure of the Nigeria–Benin border in 2019, and those related to the pandemic. Other types include enhanced controls involving document checks, health certificates and additional taxes, as well as informal roadblocks where police, customs officers or military personnel demand illegal ‘fees’.

While these obstacles are sometimes justified by security or health concerns, they ultimately undermine an already fragile economy.

Direct economic losses on small migrant traders

Perishable goods, such as tomatoes, smoked fish and fruit, spoil due to long waits at border posts. This means that traders lose both their goods and their capital, which prevents them from restocking.

Increased costs and corruption

Each checkpoint incurs additional costs. Some traders claim that they must pay between 5,000 and 10,000 CFA francs in ‘informal taxes’ to cross the border, drastically reducing their profit margin.

Case studies

Nigeria–Benin border closure (2019)

When Nigeria closed its land borders in an attempt to combat smuggling, traders in Benin and Togo suffered significant losses. Maize, rice and poultry could no longer be transported, leaving thousands of small-scale traders without an income.

Restrictions due to Coronavirus pandemic

The closure of ECOWAS borders in 2020 revealed the fragility of this trade. In Togo, traders who used to travel to Ghana or Benin were no longer able to cross the border, causing a sharp drop in their incomes and increasing food insecurity.

Aflao–Lomé and Sanvee-Condji–Hillacondji border posts

At these busy border crossings, traders regularly report both harassment and positive initiatives, such as the establishment of joint border posts (one-stop border posts) which aim to simplify formalities.

Togo has specific characteristics

Togo is a strategic hub for regional trade. The Port of Lomé serves the surrounding area including Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, and border markets generate significant commercial activity. Togolese traders, who are often involved in retailing food and textiles, are directly affected by these restrictions. Women, in particular, report economic losses and abuse at the borders.

Social consequences

The economic impacts include increased household insecurity, a decline in school enrolment among children (as income is often used to pay school fees), greater reliance on debt and, in some cases, forced migration to cities or abroad in search of alternative livelihoods.

Possible solutions ECOWAS has introduced simplified trade regimes, but these remain incomplete. Greater harmonisation between states is needed to reduce bureaucracy.

Enhancing transparency at borders can be achieved by installing juxtaposed posts, providing officials with training and establishing anonymous complaint mechanisms. 

Specific programmes must be introduced to reduce the vulnerability of women traders, such as helplines, access to microcredit and legal support.

Providing access to finance and training in storage and processing, as well as  encouraging market diversification can help traders to better withstand the impact of closures more effectively as support to their economic resilience.

Rather than protecting national economies, border closures in West Africa harm the most vulnerable people such as small migrant traders. These barriers not only destabilise households and threaten food security. For Togo and its neighbours, reconciling security and free movement is imperative. This requires reforms that favour small traders, who are the true pillars of regional integration.