Small-scale cross border trade plays an important role in contributing to poverty reduction and food security. As an economic activity, it is making a difference in changing the economic landscape in developing economies in southern Africa. Income generated from these small-scale trading activities is key to reducing poverty.
A significant number of traders are women. It is estimated that 70 percent of cross border traders in Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are women. The women traders are more vulnerable in comparison to the men and face a number of challenges when undertaking cross border trade. Some of the challenges among many others are; limited access and knowledge on customs and regulatory procedures to be completed at the border post, limited security provided for women and their children at the borders, and unavailable health and sanitation facilities.
This brochure aims to address one of these challenges, which is to provide information to women on the regulatory requirements at the border post. The areas covered in the brochure are; the non-tariff barrier reporting system, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Simplified Trade Regime, the common list of goods, provisions for the SADC Free Trade Area and the voice of women traders.
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