Evaluation of Cross-Border Gender Dimensions of Trade Among Women in Sokoto and Kebbi States

Women engaged in cross-border trade in North West Nigeria navigate a complex landscape of gendered regulatory barriers, safety risks, and economic opportunity that shapes their livelihoods and economic autonomy. This study evaluates the gender dimensions of cross-border trade for women operating along the Nigeria-Niger Republic border in Sokoto and Kebbi States. A mixed-method design was employed, with 100 female cross-border traders and 30 customs, immigration, and market officials completing structured questionnaires and interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings reveal that female traders face higher rates of arbitrary goods confiscation, sexual extortion by border officials, and exclusion from formal trade facilitation support than male counterparts. Despite these obstacles, women constitute approximately 45% of cross-border traders at the studied border posts and operate primarily in food, textiles, and household goods. Membership in women's trader cooperatives significantly improves members' capacity to negotiate with officials and access market price information. Recommendations include gender-sensitive border management training for customs and immigration officers, formalisation of trader cooperatives through regulatory recognition, and a gender audit of trade facilitation policies at the Nigeria-Niger Republic border. Keywords: cross-border trade, gender, women traders, Sokoto, North West Nigeria