The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in collaboration with LA International Cooperation, has recently organized a Capacity Building Needs Assessment (CBNA) Validation Workshop at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

This was to strengthen the capacity of Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders (especially women), their Associations and Border Officials at Border Sites in West Africa.

According to a document made available to Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) by NACCIMA, the validation workshop was part of activities of the Trade Facilitation West Africa (TFWA) Program, which is an initiative driven by multiple international development partners (USAID, the Netherlands, EU and BMZ) to improve trade facilitation in West Africa.

“The Program is managed by the World Bank Group and the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ), with strategic oversight and guidance provided by a Steering Committee that is chaired by the ECOWAS Commission and supported by the UEMOA Commission as deputy chair.

“The program was developed to tackle the issues facing Cross-border trade in West Africa and is made up of three main components; improved and more efficiently implemented trade facilitation measures; more efficient movement of goods along selected corridors; and reduced barriers for small-scale traders and emphasis on improving conditions for women traders.” NACCIMA stressed.

The document expressed that the objective of the workshop was to validate the findings of a CBNA survey which assessed the capacity building needs of stakeholder trade associations in terms of their capacity to impart knowledge.

It pointed out that it was also to support Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders; helping them to overcome the problems and difficulties identified.

“Participants validated the survey findings, which showed that Financial Management; Product Standardization; Commercial Information; Fundraising or Financing; Packaging; Transportation; Development of Business Plan; Prospecting and Market Research; Sales Coaching; Negotiations and Signing of Business Contracts; Direct Intervention in Control Posts, and Commercial Litigation, were priority needs of their Associations’ members and areas where capacity building is required.

“Participants also noted that infrastructure (the provision of shared facilities, one-stop shops and equipment or the creation of Special Economic Zones), improved knowledge on export and import processes and procedures, certifications for export trade, aata management for members, and logistics, would go a long way to improve the lots of small-scale cross-border traders by improving their competitiveness.

“At the end of the workshop, participants recommended that more publicity activities be carried out to ensure that the activities of the Trade Facilitation West Africa (TFWA) program are constantly in the public eye, especially, the component on reducing barriers for small-scale traders and emphasis on improving conditions for women traders; and that intensive sensitization on the processes and procedures of cross-border trade be carried out, as many cross-border traders are still largely unaware of these processes.” The document reads.