In Africa, transportation can account for up to 45% of the cost of some goods. Most trade is conducted over land, and resolving bottlenecks at border crossings could significantly lower these expenses and improve access to products.

In a report published on May 19, 2025, titled "Transport Connectivity for Food Security in Africa: Strengthening Supply Chains," the World Bank identified 20 border posts in Sub-Saharan Africa where strategic investments could improve access to staple goods and enhance food security.

The stakes are high. The financial institution estimates that a 10% improvement in regional trade efficiency could increase food availability by 5% and reduce prices by 3%. This would positively impact millions of households across Africa.

The following are five priority border crossings in West Africa, chosen for their high volume of food flows and logistical challenges that can double transport times and costs.

Mfum-Ekok (Nigeria-Cameroon)

The Mfum-Ekok border post connects southeastern Nigeria to southwestern Cameroon. Southeastern Nigeria is a major producer of root crops like cassava, yams, and sweet potatoes, as well as plantains and grains. Southwestern Cameroon accounts for nearly 20% of that country's food crop output.

The report states this crossing handles the third-largest food flow in Sub-Saharan Africa, estimated at 7.1 trillion kilocalories per year. However, the World Bank estimates annual logistical costs at $14 million, making it the most expensive food trade border post in West Africa and the fourth most costly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

These costs are due to inefficient logistics services, including customs delays, multiple checkpoints, a lack of a single-window system, and poor coordination between agencies. Both sides of the border also have underdeveloped or insufficient physical infrastructure.

Ganta (Liberia-Guinea)

Located in the forest region, the Ganta post connects productive but landlocked agricultural areas in northeastern Liberia to southeastern Guinea. It is also a strategic link for trade between Liberia's port of Monrovia and Guinea's forest region.

This key node in West Africa’s food logistics network handles food flows of nearly 1.2 trillion kilocalories annually, with logistical surcharges estimated at $5 million per year.

While the World Bank did not detail the specific issues, local media report frequent roadside checks, administrative delays, and illegal payments demanded by security forces. Poor road conditions on the Guinean side and seasonal flooding can also block access to the post for several days.

Kouremale (Guinea-Mali)

Located along the Conakry-Bamako corridor, the Kouremale post links northeastern Guinea to southwestern Mali. Northeastern Guinea is an agricultural area that produces cotton, sesame, and various root crops and rice.

This crossing sees the movement of food equivalent to 1 trillion kilocalories per year. However, annual logistical costs are estimated at $2 million. This suggests inefficiencies in services, such as customs delays and multiple checks, as well as poor or inconsistent road infrastructure.

Baba Mutum (Nigeria-Niger)

The Baba Mutum post connects southern Niger, a Sahelian zone with food production deficits, to northern Nigeria, a major agricultural hub. More than 700 billion kilocalories of food pass through this route annually, making it a vital link in West African supply chains.

The World Bank notes this crossing incurs additional transport costs estimated at $4 million per year. Inefficiencies in logistics services and poor infrastructure are part of the problem. Additionally, northern Nigeria has faced serious security challenges in recent years, including terrorism, kidnappings, and banditry, which could affect cross-border trade.

Kidira-Diboli (Senegal-Mali)

Located along the Dakar-Bamako corridor, the Kidira-Diboli post is a key transit point for goods imported through Senegal's port en route to Mali. It also links eastern Senegal and western Mali, two regions where agriculture is central to the local economy. This connection supports the movement of essential crops like millet, maize, and peanuts, as well as other basic commodities.

This crossing handles nearly 600 billion kilocalories of food annually, but additional logistical costs are estimated at $2 million per year. Observers attribute these costs to congestion, transshipment delays, limited coordination between customs agencies, and recent insecurity along Mali’s borders.

On July 1, 2025, for example, the Diboli customs post was targeted in a terrorist attack. This was the first time a border post so close to Senegal had been hit.