Seamless cross-border trade in cereals such as maize, rice, wheat, and legumes has emerged as a linchpin for addressing Africa’s food security crisis while fostering rural economic growth, officials underscored at a high-level forum in Nairobi.

The two-day dialogue, convened by the Eastern African Grain Council (EAGC) and the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), brought together policymakers, industry leaders, donors, and researchers to discuss pragmatic measures for eliminating barriers impeding grain trade. These include punitive tariffs, policy inconsistencies, and logistical inefficiencies.

Paul Ronoh, principal secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, highlighted the necessity for policies that catalyse instead of obstructing grain flows across borders. “Increasing the volume of grains traded across the region is imperative to tackle hunger and malnutrition exacerbated by climate change, pests, shrinking arable land, and other environmental pressures,” Ronoh remarked. He emphasised that smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, stand to benefit most if the sector is unlocked.

The eastern African region currently trades approximately two million metric tonnes of cereals annually. However, Ronoh acknowledged that significant hurdles remain. High transport and storage costs, tariff barriers, and regulatory bottlenecks continue to restrict the scale of trade that could otherwise stabilise food supplies across borders.

Gerald Masila, executive director of the EAGC, underscored the role of the private sector in facilitating efficient trade while calling for the removal of regulatory obstacles. “Harmonising tax regimes, providing subsidies for farmers, and improving post-harvest infrastructure are critical for bridging deficits caused by erratic weather,” Masila stated. He also called for the development of regional commodity exchange platforms and enhanced access to credit for small-scale traders, which he described as essential for a sustainable grain supply chain.

Providence Mavubi, director of industry and agriculture at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), urged governments to invest in innovations aimed at reducing post-harvest losses. “Simplifying trader licensing, improving access to quality seeds and fertilisers, and combatting food waste will enable the region to maximise its production and trading potential,” Mavubi said.

In addition, Nega Wubeneh, AGRA’s head of markets and trade, reiterated that governments must play a facilitative role, creating safeguards to ensure fair competition and food safety while empowering the private sector to drive cross-border trade.

Africa faces chronic food insecurity, exacerbated by supply disruptions, rising temperatures, and recurrent droughts. Despite being home to vast tracts of fertile land, sub-Saharan Africa remains a net food importer, leaving populations vulnerable to price volatility and external shocks.

The discussions held in Nairobi are part of broader efforts to strengthen regional trade and reduce the continent’s dependence on food imports. Experts agree that facilitating the movement of surplus cereals from high-producing countries to deficit regions will enhance food stability, improve livelihoods, and drive rural economic development.

According to FAO statistics, eastern Africa alone accounts for millions of tonnes of post-harvest grain losses annually, representing a colossal economic and food security setback. Resolving logistical and policy barriers to cross-border trade, as advocated during the forum, could mitigate such losses and unlock the sector’s untapped potential.

By advancing regional integration, easing trade barriers, and prioritising investments in infrastructure, Africa has the tools to reshape its agricultural value chain and chart a sustainable path towards food security.