JENDEMA, Sierra Leone – Grand Cape Mount County Senator Dabah M. Varpilah has called for increased investment and support for women cross-border traders, describing them as key drivers of economic growth and regional integration within the Mano River region.
Senator Varpilah made the call on June 3, 2026, while delivering the keynote address at the Regional Trade Fair for Women Cross-Border Traders in Jendema, Sierra Leone. The event was organized by the Mano River Union (MRU) Secretariat with support from the African Development Bank under the Building Inclusive Business Ecosystems for Stabilization and Transformation Project.
Addressing women traders, government officials, development partners, and private sector representatives from Liberia and Sierra Leone, Senator Varpilah praised the resilience and contributions of women engaged in cross-border trade.
“Women cross-border traders are not operating at the margins of our economies; they are sustaining them,” she said, emphasizing the need for greater recognition, protection, and investment in women-led enterprises.
The Senator highlighted several challenges confronting women traders, including limited access to finance, inadequate market infrastructure, poor transportation networks, and barriers at border crossings. She urged governments, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector to work together to create safer and more enabling environments for women entrepreneurs.
Senator Varpilah also stressed the importance of investing in border infrastructure, simplifying trade procedures, expanding market access, and supporting rural development initiatives to strengthen regional commerce.
She noted that women traders play a critical role in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation by building economic and social ties between neighboring communities across borders.
The trade fair showcased products from women involved in cassava, palm oil, and vegetable value chains while providing opportunities for networking, business development, and regional partnerships.
Senator Varpilah concluded by reaffirming her commitment to advancing policies that promote women’s economic empowerment and sustainable regional development.
She also commended the Mano River Union Secretariat, the African Development Bank, and other stakeholders for their continued efforts to strengthen cross-border trade and support women entrepreneurs across the region.
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