Haiti’s Madan Sara fight for survival as insecurity threatens the engine of Haiti’s informal economy

PORT-AU-PRINCE – At dawn, while Port-au-Prince is still in darkness, Anite Désir, a seasoned Madan Sara – a term often used to describe Haiti’s market women –  prepares for her weekly journey to Artibonite, roughly 60 miles from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Carrying her goods, she navigates crumbling roads and avoids gang-controlled areas where merchants are extorted and sometimes subjected to violence. For Haiti’s Madan Sara, insecurity is a daily challenge, but they move forward with courage and determination.

These traders buy directly from farmers to resell in the country’s major markets. Tireless, they travel long distances, crossing mountains and borders with heavy bundles. Thanks to their efforts, markets remain stocked, supporting the livelihood of thousands of families.

The term Madan Sara comes from a Haitian bird, “Madame Sara,” known for its restless nature and habit of carrying food from place to place. By analogy, these ever-moving traders inherited the name, which has become a symbol of resilience and ingenuity in the informal economy.

Essential to trade, they buy in bulk, sell at retail, and ensure the flow of goods between rural and urban areas. The Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) highlights their crucial role in food distribution and their impact on the informal economy, which accounts for over 30% of Haiti’s GDP.

“Just as banks facilitate finance, the Madan Sara connects rural producers with urban consumers and helps stabilize prices. Their role is indispensable”, says Haitian economist Thomas Lalime.

The impact of insecurity on their business

Despite being a vital link in the country’s economy, Madan Sara are increasingly threatened by violence and insecurity in the capital, severely impacting their commercial activities. 

A September 2024 study by the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) found that insecurity has severely disrupted Madan Sara operations. Weekly trade travel has dropped, with 80% now making no more than three trips. Meanwhile, 72% have relocated their selling spots, and 58% have changed supply sources to avoid unsafe areas like Carrefour, Croix-des-Bossales, Delmas 89, and Pétion-Ville.

These disruptions have hurt sales, with 36% of Madan Sara earning less than 50,000 gourdes ($390) per week, while only 8% surpass 750,000 gourdes ($5,800

• Reduced travel hurts supply: Before the crisis, Madan Sara made up to five trips per week to restock goods. Now, 80% travel three times or less, limiting market availability and disrupting trade.
• Forced relocation disrupts business: Insecurity has pushed 72% of Madan Sara to change selling locations and 58% to find new suppliers, especially in high-risk areas like Carrefour and Croix-des-Bossales.
• Sales take a major hit: More than a third (36%) of Madan Sara now earn under $390 per week, and only 8% make over $5,800—highlighting a sharp economic downturn in the informal sector.

Persistent insecurity directly disrupts informal trade, slows the local economy and limits Haitian consumers’ access to agricultural products. By hindering the work of Madan Sara, the entire supply chain is destabilized, and the country’s economic challenges worsen.

Roughly 70% of Haiti’s trade relies on the informal sector,  which is dominated by Madan Sara, according to a 2022 World Bank report. However,  rising insecurity has led to a 30% revenue loss in the sector over five years. Between 2018 and 2023, gangs burned down or looted more than 60 Haitian markets, causing losses estimated at several million dollars.  

Cases of extortion have also surged. While seven merchants reported being extorted in 2023, 12 faced this issue in January 2024 alone. The worsening security crisis since the start of the year has severely deteriorated the commercial environment, according to the BRH.

Jocelyne Jean Louis, coordinator of Rassemblement des Madan Sara d’Haïti (RAMSA), states that more than 13,000 Madan Sara were directly affected by insecurity in 2024, many losing their capital or suffering violence from armed gangs.

“I woke up at 5 a.m. to buy my goods. Before, I had some savings, but now everything I earn goes into security and bribes just to cross dangerous areas. This is no longer a business—it’s a fight for survival,” laments Anite Désir, a Madan-Sara from the Silo Market in Delmas 33, Port-au-Prince.

A central role in Haiti’s commercial history

In the early 20th century, the Madan Sara were already highly active. In addition to trading within various Haitian departments and cities, they traveled to buy wholesale goods from Curaçao, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. These journeys were often long and risky but essential to ensure the supply of merchandise.

They transported fabrics, shoes, and food products in their bundles, reselling them in Haiti’s major markets, particularly the Croix-des-Bossales market in the heart of Port-au-Prince. This market—the largest in the West Department—was a true commercial hub where sellers and buyers from across the country converged. It centralized products from all ten Haitian departments. 

Today, about 75% of the 22,000 merchants who once worked there have been forced to flee due to increasing insecurity, according to Rasanbleman Madan Sara Dayiti (RAMSA), the first organization to highlight the significance of the Madan-Sara.

These journeys were grueling. The women endured long trips by boat or truck, often in poor conditions. But they always returned with enough goods to feed entire families and stimulate the local economy.

“My aunt used to travel to Panama by boat. She would stay there for weeks before returning with fabrics. When she got back, our house turned into a warehouse, and the entire neighborhood came to buy from her. She also sold at the Hyppolite market. She was a courageous woman, a fighter,” says Katia Labossière, niece of a Madan-Sara.

They faced enormous risks—robbery, market fluctuations, arbitrary taxes, and even scams made their work incredibly difficult. Yet, they persisted, refusing to abandon a profession that supported thousands of people.

The Madan Sara today: adaptation and resilience

Today, their movements are more restricted. Outside of a few accessible Haitian departments, their primary destination remains the Dominican Republic. Cross-border trade has intensified, making markets like Dajabón key centers of Haiti’s informal commerce.

They purchase rice, oil, clothing, and other goods in bulk before crossing the border to resell them in Haitian markets. These trips are often exhausting, marked by endless lines and sometimes arbitrary border controls.

The challenges remain. They are frequently targeted by thieves and attackers. Some lose their entire daily earnings in an instant, robbed by bandits who know they carry cash. Inflation and political instability further complicate their work. Despite their economic importance, they receive little support—no bank loans, no social protection. They must fend for themselves without a safety net.

“People call us the poto mitan (pillars of society), yet we are left on our own. Every day, we risk our lives to buy our goods. If we stop, an entire economic chain collapses”, says Maryse Boyer, a merchant from Port-au-Prince.

Port-au-Prince’s once-iconic markets, like  Croix-des-Bossales,  Hyppolite and Tête Bœuf, were thriving hubs for Madan Sara. Today, gang violence has changed everything. Many merchants no longer dare go there for fear of extortion, attacks, or even death. This insecurity has directly impacted their trade, limiting customer access, driving up prices due to supply chain disruptions and forcing many women to 

An uncertain future, but a glimmer of hope

Some initiatives are working to support them. Local organizations like RAMSA advocate for better financial support and increased security. They push for tailored microloans, secure storage spaces, and tax relief.  

Young female entrepreneurs are also drawing inspiration from the Madan Sara. They are creating online commerce platforms to facilitate transactions and reduce the risks associated with travel. While these initiatives are still limited, they pave the way for the modernization of the informal trade sector.  

One such initiative is Madansara Shop, launched in July 2024 by Mykel Saint Preux, a computer engineering student. This e-commerce platform allows Haitians to buy and sell various products, including electronics, books, clothing, and beauty products. Its name pays tribute to the Madan Sara. 

Another notable initiative is HaiCraft, founded in November 2022 by Caroline Zéphir. This nonprofit organization supports over 180 Haitian artisans, providing them with training in crafting techniques, sales, and digital marketing. HaiCraft aims to professionalize artisans and promote Haiti’s cultural and creative sector.

These platforms serve as talent incubators, fostering collaboration, idea exchange, and synergy among young entrepreneurs. They highlight the ability of young Haitians to leverage digital tools to boost the local economy and support key sectors like the Madan Sara. 

“They [Madan Sara] carry Haiti on their shoulders. It’s time to give them the means to thrive. Imagine an economy where the Madan-Sara have access to credit, proper infrastructure, and real social protection. It would be a revolution for the entire country,”  Geisha N. Labossière, a young Haitian economist, concludes.

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