AfCFTA Is Critical To Achieving Food Security In Africa
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By Oluwatobi Ojo
For a continent with an abundance of arable lands and optimal weather, it is quite appalling that Africa struggles to feed its population. In 2022, World Economic Forum reported that 278 million Africans suffer from chronic hunger, which corresponds to about 20% of the continent’s population, perhaps this was compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic which disrupted supply chains, escalated inflation and food insecurity. Food insecurity has worsened over time across the continent as witnessed in the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria. More concerning is the fact that there is no proportionate increase in the purchasing power of individuals and household income amidst the rising food inflation. This situation has kept a majority of the population within the poverty radius and unable to afford basic meals. Food is essential and should never become a luxury.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an exciting opportunity to end food scarcity and ensure sustainable food supply through a combination of trade from the region, elimination or reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers, leveraging on technology through the Protocol on Digital Trade and E-commerce and minimal government regulation on trade. In order to achieve these benefits, Africa must leverage its comparative advantage in agriculture by encouraging local production on a large scale. Most farming communities on the continent are synonymous with subsistence farming. Government policies must be geared towards encouraging local farmers through the provision of mechanical equipment, storage system, transportation of produce and easy access to the market. Similarly, in line with the scope of the AfCFTA, Africa must commit to value addition of raw food products to reduce wastage. This can only be achieved through massive industrialization and the adoption of modern technology.
Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) equally affect access and cost of food production. Many African countries currently employ a combination of tariffs and quotas on international trade for revenue generation and protection of local industries. However, restrictive policies like these eliminate healthy market competition which is crucial to free trade. In August 2019, the Nigerian government closed all land borders and banned the importation of rice into the country with the aim of ensuring local patronage. The move backfired, as the price of rice doubled and it did not sustainably increase local production. To end food insecurity, African leaders must take efforts to remove all NTBs that threaten the production, movement and availability of food on the continent.
Seme border, Nigeria. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN
A report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa reveals that the removal of NTBs will double intra-African trade. An increase in trade will increase the earning capacity of the people, which goes a long way towards ending poverty and subsequently, food insecurity.
The scope of the AfCFTA emphasised creating an efficient supply chain across the continent. Once an efficient supply chain is established, it will ensure the seamless movement of food products from the region. Through trade, food products predominant in a certain region can be exported to other regions where they are in need and vice versa.
While the AfCFTA is positioned to end food insecurity, there is a need to consider other concerns that threaten food security, not just in Africa but globally. Climate change is a great concern to the yield of food crops and the supply chain in general. According to a report by the World Bank, about 80% of the total population is at risk of crop failure and hunger resulting from climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Increasing temperature affects the growth of crops through evapotranspiration resulting in poor yield. Beyond increasing temperature, floods, severe storms, heat stress, and increased prevalence of pests and diseases present a greater threat to plants and animals. In 2022, Nigeria experienced its worst flooding in a long time, affecting a total of 31 out of 35 states. All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) estimated about 500,000 hectares of farmland was destroyed. Kenya and Djibouti have also experienced the worst locust outbreak in over a century.
In clear terms, the AfCFTA should address climate change and its impacts on agriculture and food sustainability. Government must also create an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in the agricultural sector by committing to the Framework for Boosting Intra-African Trade in Agricultural Commodities and Services.
More than ever, it is important to end food scarcity in Africa, especially with its increasing population to avert immediate and future crises.