(Ecofin Agency) - • African food supply chains take four times longer than in Europe, causing delays and waste
• Transport failures drive up food prices, with costs reaching 45% for some staples
• World Bank identifies 50 key transport points to reduce food insecurity

Food supply chains in Africa are, on average, four times longer than in Europe, leading to delivery delays, higher prices, and significant waste, according to a World Bank report published on May 19.

The report, titled "Transport Connectivity for Food Security in Africa: Strengthening Supply Chains," highlights that the number of people facing food insecurity on the continent rose by 60% between 2014 and 2023. Today, 58% of Africans are affected, which is twice the global average. This is despite a 160% increase in food production and a 20% gain in agricultural productivity over the last 30 years.

While armed conflict, extreme weather, and economic instability are often seen as the main causes of food insecurity, the World Bank stresses that poor transport systems are also a major, but often overlooked, driver of the crisis.

African countries produce about 75% of their food locally, with the rest coming from international markets, mainly in Europe and Asia. However, only about 5% of food trade occurs between African nations. In this context, quality roads, ports, and rail networks play a vital role in moving food quickly and affordably across and within countries.

Where transport is weak, costs rise, delays grow, and post-harvest losses increase, which in turn affects food access and affordability.

Across the continent, food supply chains are stretched out due to tangled routes and multiple transit points. On average, food travels 4,000 kilometers and takes 23 days to reach its final destination—four times longer than the average in Europe. The longer the chain, the more risk there is of breakdowns and product losses before reaching consumers.

On the local level, the poor condition of rural roads cuts farmers off from nearby markets. Around 60% of Africa’s rural population lives more than 2 kilometers from an all-season road. This isolation also makes it harder for farmers to access fertilizers and seeds, limiting productivity and deepening food insecurity.

Transport costs reach up to 45% of food prices

Regionally, non-tariff barriers, such as customs delays, complex rules of origin, and import quotas—can push up trade costs by as much as 25%, further disconnecting neighboring markets. As a result, surplus food in one country often fails to reach areas in need in nearby regions.

When it comes to trade between Africa and other parts of the world, inefficient ports are a major bottleneck. Only 52 African ports are equipped to handle large volumes of food. These shortcomings lead to congestion, spoilage, higher shipping fees, and in some cases, delivery failure. Altogether, 37% of perishable food is lost before it reaches consumers. For low-value staples like rice, grains, or cassava, transport costs can account for up to 45% of the retail price, putting food out of reach for the poorest populations, especially those in remote and isolated areas.

The World Bank report argues that reducing food insecurity in Africa requires fixing the broken transport systems that keep food from reaching people. That means investing in better infrastructure, including port upgrades, road expansion, and modern storage and distribution systems.

But with 379 land border crossings, 147 ports, millions of kilometers of roads, and a maze of trade routes, where should the continent begin? The World Bank has identified 50 critical points, 10 ports, 20 border posts, and 20 road corridors that have the biggest influence on Africa’s food supply. Targeted investment in these chokepoints could significantly reduce food insecurity while boosting economic growth.

The report also urges African nations to invest in reliable storage and distribution services to cut post-harvest losses and remove barriers to intra-African trade, which would lower delays and reduce the cost of moving food across borders.