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  • Publication | 2026
African – German Agricultural Trade: Unlocking Mutual Gains for Food Security, Nutrition, and Economic Growth. AgriBridge Policy Note #1
Global Food and Nutrition Security

The analysis in this policy note draws on regional trade data, case studies, and policy analysis to examine how agricultural trade can support the right to healthy and nutritious food in Africa through global partnerships, such as with Germany. The note examines trends in intra-African agricultural trade and Africa’s trade with Europe, thereby focusing on how trade patterns, standards, infrastructure, and value addition affect food security and agricultural growth. 

Key policy recommendations:

  1. Strengthen Africa–Germany partnership-based investments·

    1. Expand Africa–Germany cooperation and blended financing opportunities that prioritise local value addition, climate-smart innovation, technology transfer, sustainable infrastructure, and economic diversification. All trade and investment partnerships should adhere to binding environmental and social safeguards.

    2. Adopt a multi-stakeholder partnership model by engaging civil society, research organisations, the private sector, and African regional institutions in designing and monitoring economic cooperation.

  1. Accelerate AfCFTA implementation and regional integration

    1. Fast-track the implementation of the AfCFTA by advancing intra-African tariff elimination and prioritizing balanced trade agreements with Germany and the EU that offer environmental, social, and economic mutual benefits. Prioritise the removal of NTBs, the harmonisation of standards and rules of origin, the expansion of digital trade systems, and strategic investments in trade-enabling infrastructure to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of cross-border trade

    2. Strengthen the institutional capacity of RECs and the AfCFTA Secretariat to effectively coordinate, monitor, and support the implementation of trade reforms and deeper regional integration.

  1. Support smallholders, women, youth, and SMEs

    1. Promote inclusive trade and growth by expanding access to affordable finance, tailored skills development, and digital tools for smallholders, women, youth, and SMEs across local, regional, and international agrifood value chains.