Highlights: 

Drawing on a pioneering dataset that captures both recorded and unrecorded flows for 134 food products, this report offers an unprecedented view of regional trade dynamics. By combining official statistics with unrecorded data on informal flows across borders, it fills key gaps in our understanding of how food moves within the region. 

The value of intra‑regional food trade is estimated at USD 10 billion per year—six times higher than what is officially reported. This figure is equivalent to the value of total rice, wheat and palm oil imports from outside the region, and is six times greater than all food and agriculture aid received by West Africa. 

Up to 85% of intra‑regional food trade goes unrecorded. These missing flows are not just more of the same products—they represent a completely different food basket. While official data capture much of the processed foods and shelf‑stable goods, most trade in essential staples and nutrient‑rich foods goes undocumented.  

Excluding cocoa and cashew, nearly 60% of West Africa’s food exports are regional. For one‑third of West African countries, the primary export market for food is another country within the region. In addition, intra‑regional food trade is also geographically extensive. Countries in the region trade food with a median of 12 out of 14 potential regional partners.  

This report estimates that up to 68 trillion kilocalories are traded regionally each year—enough to meet the annual energy needs of approximately 80 million people, or nearly one‑quarter of the region’s population. 

This trade helps ensure the availability and affordability of food throughout the year. In urban centres, it is a critical source of calories and diet diversification: for instance, in Bamako and Ouagadougou, it contributes 23% to 30% of the total food supply—and nearly 100% for products like plantain and avocado. Intra‑regional trade helps smooth out seasonal fluctuations by bridging production gaps and improving access to a wider variety of foods. During production shocks, its role becomes even more pronounced, helping reduce scarcity and stabilise prices.  By helping keep prices in check, intra‑regional trade reduces the risk of malnutrition and long‑term health impacts, particularly among children. 

Structural shifts in food demand are expanding intra‑regional food trade 

Demand is becoming increasingly concentrated in large cities. The increased scale and predictability of market demand through intra‑regional trade will drive additional investments, enhance competitiveness, and lower regional prices. 

Food trade is boosting the commercial food economy 

Intra‑regional trade is catalysing the growth of a commercial food economy in the region. Rising urban demand for convenient, high‑value products is attracting investment into market‑oriented farming and processing. In Ghana, medium‑scale farms expanded from 20% to 43% of cultivated land within five years, primarily driven by horticulture and oilseed production. Regionally, the area under vegetable cultivation increased by 70% between 2010 and 2022. 

These dynamics drive the development of agricultural clusters, expanding small and medium‑sized enterprises, and generating employment both on and off the farm. Notably, non‑farm segments now constitute over 30% of total food system employment, with women representing 72% in marketing and 83% in processing roles. 

National and regional agricultural policy frameworks must adapt to this shift and harness the full potential of intra‑regional trade to strengthen food, from production to retail. 

Shifting entrenched misperceptions about intra-regional food trade is a critical first step towards more effective agricultural and trade policies in West Africa.  

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could lead a shift towards a shared regional vision by co‑ordinating policies, harmonising regulations, and enforcing trade commitments. 

To build a more efficient trade environment in West Africa, more transparent, consistent rules and a service‑oriented trade bureaucracy that rebuilds trust are needed. 

Better public support systems, transport, and logistics will lower costs, attract investment, and strengthen regional value chains—driving a more vibrant regional food economy. 

Better data is critical for strengthening regional food and trade policies. Stronger data systems would empower governments to design more targeted and effective policies for food and nutrition security, trade and regional economic development.