• Regional food demand projected to surge to $480bn by 2030, up from $126bn in 2010
• Trade hampered by fragmented standards and road checkpoints across borders
• Experts call for stronger political will to unlock intra-regional food commerce

West African countries still face major hurdles in developing agricultural trade, limiting the role of intra-regional commerce in advancing food security.

This was the conclusion of a session organized by the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC/OECD) during the African Food Systems Forum (AFSF).

Although food trade across the region is vital, 85% of it remains outside official statistics. Panelists said better data and stronger integration are essential as regional food demand is projected to reach $480 billion by 2030, up from $126 billion in 2010.

Barriers to cross-border trade

Moderated by SWAC/OECD Director Nana Touré, the session highlighted key obstacles to regional trade.

“Fragmented standards and regulations remain a major issue. If a product meets phytosanitary requirements, you still have to start over when sending it to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, or Mali. Exporters often prefer Europe, where everything is clearer and harmonized,” said Siny Samba, CEO of Senegalese food company Le Lionceau.

Alain Sy Traoré, ECOWAS Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, pointed to excessive checkpoints. “Between Lagos and the Benin border at Seme, there are about 37 checkpoints in just 150 km. When the Lagos governor visits Cotonou, they vanish overnight—only to return a week or two later,” he said.

Traoré stressed that stronger political will is needed to remove such non-tariff barriers. “Road harassment is the result of human behavior that our authorities have not yet managed to punish,” he added.

Untapped regional potential

Philipp Heinrigs, Head of Food, Urbanization and Cities at SWAC/OECD, urged governments to recognize the potential of regional trade to supply diverse, affordable food to West Africans. “The importance of intra-regional trade is acknowledged, but much remains to be done to make it a reality,” he said.

The OECD noted that regional commerce already plays a key role: 90% of tomatoes consumed in Ghana during the lean season come from Burkina Faso, while one-third of Bamako’s food supply is sourced through intra-regional trade.