Intra-regional food trade in West Africa, 2014-22
Exports are used as a proxy for intra‑regional food trade, given that all intra‑regional exports and imports balance out as two sides of the same trade. Country survey data is only available for three countries: Nigeria, Benin and Togo, with only Nigeria and Benin reporting significant values.
Intra-regional food trade in West Africa is far larger than commonly assumed. It is often portrayed as purely informal, small-scale, and short-distance. Yet data from OECD/SWAC estimates its value at around USD 10 billion per year—six times higher than official figures. This makes it comparable to the region’s combined imports of rice, wheat, and palm oil from outside Africa, and six times greater than all official development assistance directed to food and agriculture in West Africa.
Despite its scale, 85% of this trade goes unrecorded. The data also reveal the role of large operators—both formal and informal—who organise trade networks across long distances. On average, West African countries trade with 12 of their 14 potential partners. Leading exporters such as Senegal, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire conduct 58%, 48%, and 39% of their regional trade, respectively, with non-neighbouring countries.
Official statistics also distort the composition of trade. The OECD/SWAC analysis captures 134 distinct food products. While only 20–30% of processed foods, oils, and fats go unrecorded, the share rises to 70–90% for staples and high value foods such as starchy roots, cereals, fruits, and vegetables.
The findings underline that intra-regional food trade is critical to food and nutrition security in West Africa. It underpins availability and affordability throughout the year, smooths seasonality and shocks, and drives agricultural transformation by linking production basins to growing and diversifying urban markets. Yet its invisibility in official data distorts food security assessments, market analyses, and agricultural policies—leading to misguided policies. Recognising the true scale of intra-regional food trade and investing in stronger data systems are crucial steps to designing policies that match reality, unlock regional growth, and strengthen food and nutrition security.