Logistics Barriers Facing Women Entrepreneurs in Agricultural Markets in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria

This study investigates the logistics barriers facing women entrepreneurs engaged in agricultural commodity trading in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. Women play a significant but often underdocumented role in agricultural market supply chains in North West Nigeria, serving as wholesalers, processors, and retailers of grains, fish, and vegetable oil. However, gender-specific barriers in logistics, including limited vehicle access, security concerns during long-distance sourcing trips, and restricted market operating hours, have been identified as constraints on business scale and supply chain participation. Using a descriptive survey design, structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were conducted with 120 women traders and market association representatives in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, and Yauri. The study identifies and ranks logistics barriers across five categories: transportation access, storage facility access, security and safety, market infrastructure, and financial access for logistics investment. A barrier severity index is constructed from weighted Likert responses. Descriptive statistics and comparative analysis across market types are applied. The study draws on gender and supply chain inclusion literature from West Africa and broader developing country contexts published in the last five years. Findings are expected to highlight transportation access and security as the most acute barriers, informing targeted interventions. Recommendations address the Kebbi State Government, women's trade associations, microfinance institutions, and transport service providers on gender-responsive logistics programme design. Keywords: logistics barriers, women entrepreneurs, agricultural markets, Kebbi State, gender and supply chain.