Informal cross-border trade survey : final report

Through quantitative surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and border observations, the study provides insights into the following aspects of CBT among the three countries: the principal actors involved, reasons for engaging in CBT; means by which traders engage in CBT such as modes of transport and financing; the value and volume of trade; and seasonal variation of trade. The study finds that most traders are women who are less educated than their male counterparts and have limited capacity to find other employment. Most traders use informal routes at least some of the time to avoid the monetary costs associated with formal borders, such as fees and bribes, and to avoid harassment by border officials. However, informal routes are often less safe and cumbersome to navigate. The majority of surveyed traders are primary breadwinners in their households, which highlights the importance of CBT to the livelihoods of local populations. Trading is their primary economic activity, without which they would have no means to provide for their families. The basket of imported goods is comprised of a variety of agricultural and manufactured consumer products, whereas the export basket is comprised primarily of cane juice and palm oil. Trade often slows down during the rainy season, causing a decline in trading income.