Pan-African and Regional Trade and Policy for the Food Systems Transition

The document examines the intersection of trade policy and food systems transformation in Africa, specifically advocating for the alignment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with agroecological principles. It identifies significant hurdles to this transition, including high intra-continental tariffs, complex non-tariff barriers, and the dominance of industrial agriculture. The briefing emphasizes the role of territorial markets in supporting smallholder farmers and calls for philanthropic investment to bridge funding gaps, as agroecology currently receives less than 10% of total agricultural funding in Africa. It provides specific recommendations for philanthropies to support local food trade, advocate for policy changes that recognize ecological services, and invest in capacity-building for agroecological communities.

• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides a foundation for reimagining trade but currently lacks explicit integration of agroecological principles, focusing instead on conventional trade objectives like reducing barriers.
• Intra-African trade is severely hindered by high tariffs and non-tariff barriers; agricultural tariffs average 19.58%, the highest intra-continental rate globally.
• Territorial markets—distribution systems linked to local, national, or regional food systems—are identified as critical for strengthening the right to food and providing better remuneration for smallholder farmers.
• Funding for agroecology in Africa is fragmented and insufficient, estimated at less than 10% of total agricultural funding, with even smaller portions dedicated to trade-related aspects like market access.
• The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is the most significant player in intra-African agricultural trade, maintaining a trade surplus where exports to other regional economic communities exceed imports by US$834 million.
• Philanthropy is urged to move away from profit-driven, market-led innovation and instead support a 'prescriptive restructuring' that prioritizes social equity, ecological sustainability, and the empowerment of civil society.

APA

Odero, K., Kamelu, J. N., Makochekanwa, A., & Ifelaja, S. (2025). Pan-African and Regional Trade and Policy for the Food Systems Transition. African Climate Foundation. https://africanclimatefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/801023_I-Pan-African-and-regional-trade-WEB-1.pdf

Chicago

Odero, Kenneth, Joshua Ndong’a Kamelu, Albert Makochekanwa, and Seyi Ifelaja. Pan-African and Regional Trade and Policy for the Food Systems Transition. African Climate Foundation, 2025. https://africanclimatefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/801023_I-Pan-African-and-regional-trade-WEB-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Odero |first1=Kenneth |last2=Kamelu |first2=Joshua Ndong’a |last3=Makochekanwa |first3=Albert |last4=Ifelaja |first4=Seyi |title=Pan-African and Regional Trade and Policy for the Food Systems Transition |publisher=African Climate Foundation |date=2025 |url=https://africanclimatefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/801023_I-Pan-African-and-regional-trade-WEB-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{odero2025panafrican, author = {Odero, Kenneth and Kamelu, Joshua Ndong’a and Makochekanwa, Albert and Ifelaja, Seyi}, title = {{Pan-African and Regional Trade and Policy for the Food Systems Transition}}, institution = {African Climate Foundation}, year = {2025}, url = {https://africanclimatefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/801023_I-Pan-African-and-regional-trade-WEB-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }