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The webinar held on 13th May on Agricultural Trade Disruptions in sub-Saharan Africa: Rapid Synthesis and Feedback from Country Dialogues, organised by the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes in partnership with AGRA, convened policymakers, researchers, regional institutions, and development partners to examine the growing scale and implications of agricultural trade disruptions across Africa. Drawing on evidence from Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, the discussion provided a comparative perspective on how trade restrictions are shaping food systems and regional markets.
A central theme was the persistent tension between national food security responses and regional trade integration. Speakers highlighted the increasing use of ad hoc export and import restrictions, often introduced as emergency measures to stabilise domestic prices. While these policies are typically intended to protect consumers, evidence shared during the webinar showed that they frequently generate unintended consequences, including supply chain disruptions, reduced farmer incomes, weakened investor confidence, and retaliatory measures from trading partners.
The discussions underscored that non-tariff barriers (NTBs), rather than tariffs, have become the primary constraint to intra-African agricultural trade. These include overlapping regulatory requirements, inconsistent Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and lengthy border procedures, all of which increase transaction costs and reduce market efficiency. The concept of “policy whiplash” was used to describe the recurring cycle of sudden and unpredictable trade policy shifts that destabilise regional markets.
Evidence presented during the webinar highlighted the economic cost of these inefficiencies, as well as the vulnerability of African food systems to global market shocks. Heavy dependence on imported inputs such as fertiliser and staple commodities continues to expose countries to price volatility, reinforcing the need for stronger regional value chains.
Despite these challenges, clear pathways for reform were identified. Speakers called for a shift towards predictable, rules-based trade systems anchored in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Key recommendations included the harmonisation of SPS standards, enforcement of time-bound mechanisms for resolving NTBs, and investment in commodity-specific trade corridor infrastructure. Digital trade facilitation tools such as e-certificates of origin and regional food balance sheets were also emphasised as critical enablers of transparency and efficiency.
A strong emphasis was placed on institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement. Speakers stressed the importance of structured public-private dialogue to ensure that farmers, traders, and processors are actively involved in policy formulation. This was seen as essential for rebuilding trust and reducing policy uncertainty.
In conclusion, it was reaffirmed that agricultural transformation in Africa depends not only on production systems, but equally on the effectiveness of trade governance. Building resilient and integrated food markets will require predictable policies, shared data systems, and sustained political commitment to regional cooperation.
Read the Regional Webinar Synthesis Brief for a consolidated view of findings across the six countries.