NAIROBI, Kenya- Seamless cross-border trade in grains such as maize, rice, wheat, and legumes could be Africa’s silver bullet for addressing food insecurity while bolstering rural incomes.
This was the central message from a high-level forum held in Nairobi, Kenya, where stakeholders rallied for reforms to unlock the potential of intra-African trade.
The two-day public-private dialogue, co-hosted by the Eastern African Grain Council (EAGC) and the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to chart the way forward.
Their mission? Eliminate trade barriers, improve grain quality, and cut transportation costs to ensure food security across the region.
Paul Ronoh, Principal Secretary at Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, emphasized the urgent need for policies that encourage—rather than hinder—cross-border grain trade.
“Facilitating regional trade in grains is essential to tackling hunger and malnutrition, especially as climate change and crop pests threaten food production,” Ronoh noted.
He added that simplifying trade processes could significantly boost incomes for smallholder farmers, many of whom are women and youth.
Currently, the Eastern African region trades about two million metric tonnes of grains annually, but hurdles like punitive tariffs, inconsistent policies, and expensive logistics remain major challenges.
According to Gerald Masila, Executive Director of the EAGC, the private sector must play a central role in driving regional grain trade. To do this, he called for the removal of regulatory bottlenecks and urged governments to provide incentives for smallholder farmers.
“By harmonizing tax regimes, improving post-harvest storage, and investing in subsidies, countries can sustain a steady flow of grains across borders,” Masila said.
He also encouraged the establishment of commodity exchange platforms and better access to credit for small traders to address financing gaps.
Nega Wubeneh, AGRA’s Head of Markets and Trade, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the importance of fostering fair competition and food safety standards while positioning the private sector to lead the charge.
To strengthen food systems, Providence Mavubi, Director of Industry and Agriculture at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), outlined key interventions.
Simplifying trader licensing, improving access to quality seeds and fertilizers, and investing in innovative solutions to combat food waste are critical steps to increase grain volumes across borders.
Mavubi highlighted that with streamlined processes, Africa can not only bridge food deficits caused by erratic weather patterns but also improve rural livelihoods and food security.
By prioritizing policy harmonization, private sector participation, and cost-effective solutions, the continent can unlock opportunities for millions of smallholder farmers and traders.
