Intra-African Trade Key to Ending Hunger, Says World Bank

The World Bank says Africa’s food insecurity is being worsened by poor transport infrastructure and low regional trade. In a new report titled Transport Connectivity for Food Security in Africa, the bank criticised African nations for importing food from distant markets instead of trading with neighbours.

The report found that poor logistics—such as bad roads, inefficient border crossings, and supply chain delays—lead to food in Sub-Saharan Africa taking four times longer to reach consumers than in Europe. These inefficiencies drive up food prices, increase spoilage, and reduce access to nutritious meals.

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According to the report, 36 percent of food is lost in transit due to inadequate infrastructure. While agricultural production in Africa has increased by 160 percent over the past 30 years, the food-insecure population has grown by 60 percent in just the last decade—outpacing productivity gains.

The World Bank urged countries to invest in regional logistics, citing initiatives such as the Food Security and Nutrition Action Plan as part of global efforts to build stronger food systems. The report was authored by Charles Kunaka, Megersa Abera Abate, Théophile Bougna Lonla, and Kisanet Haile Molla.