How better data strengthens food supplies in West Africa
Despite the fact that farms in West Africa yield a significant amount of food, numerous individuals in the area face a persistent risk of hunger. By utilizing enhanced data tools, policymakers have the opportunity to combat hunger through the improvement of food supplies trade within the region.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) offers a range of tools designed to analyze trade data and bolster agricultural value chains. A workshop held in Nigeria demonstrated to policymakers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) how to effectively utilize these tools to ensure that locally grown food reaches consumers eager to purchase it.
The training, conducted in both English and French, detailed the application of ITC tools for assessing export potential and identifying market opportunities for crops such as cassava, maize, onions, pineapple, rice, and tomatoes. Factsheets outlining the value chains for these products were distributed to aid in communication and policymaking.
‘The tools presented were highly relevant, the discussions were enriching, and the training environment facilitated both effective and enjoyable learning,’ remarked Jean Hugues Amichia, Senior Project Officer at Côte d’Ivoire Export.
ITC, as part of the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Programme, organized the workshop in Abuja, Nigeria from March 24 to 27, 2025. This event gathered 43 policymakers from West Africa, representing countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Among the participants, 16% were women, and they included representatives from key ECOWAS Directorates, national statistical offices, trade promotion agencies, and regional research institutes.
Particular emphasis was placed on examining the trade of food within the informal economy. ITC technical experts facilitated a review of the ECOWAS Informal Cross-Border Trade database.
This database was established by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel and the West African Association for Cross-Border Trade in Agro-Forestry-Pastoral and Fisheries Products.
They also evaluated a new interactive dashboard developed by ITC to display informal trade data within the region. These tools offer insights that are frequently neglected in formal trade statistics. Participants offered suggestions for improving the tools, including the incorporation of domestic supply-demand data and enhancing the dashboard’s usability through clearer language.
By utilizing dependable data tools and methodologies, this initiative fortifies the groundwork for more effective food trade policy and greater integration in West Africa.
