Instead of verified weighing scales, traders rely on old tins, “olonkas,” and makeshift containers. What may seem like a harmless tradition is in fact a serious barrier to fairness, transparency, and food security. For a country that imports more than US$3.2 billion in food annually, undercutting local producers is more than an economic flaw—it is a food security liability. In Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, weighing scales are increasingly used in local markets, supported by government regulation and stronger consumer awareness. Food security cannot rest on guesswork.