Gender Analysis of Motivating Factors for Joining Informal Cross Border Trade In Four Selected Border Settlements of North Eastern Nigeria

A significant proportion of cross‐border trade in North East Nigeria is conducted informally. The paper examines motivating factors and their significant differences in determining the participation of men and women in informal cross border trade in the region. Data employed for the study were obtained through observatory methods on four major market border settlements. Wilcoxon sign rank test was applied in analyzing the data. Results obtained revealed that there were significant differences in the motivating factors for joining the trade between men and women. Finally the paper suggests that emphasis should be placed in the promotion of the trade and that State needs to participate fully by sensitizing its key players to reap the benefits of cross-border trade as it is a legitimate source of employment and income.