The report provides a clear narrative about trade developments that occurred primarily between 1998 and 2013, with particular attention paid to how and why Africa’s trade balance became negative in the early 2000s.The primary reasons – a growing urban population and constraints to trade – are explored in the report.
This joint publication from CTA and the International Food Policy Research Institute is the second annual report of its kind (see Spore review of the African Agricultural Trade Status Report 2017, https://tinyurl.com/y7jke6av). Emphasis in this latest report is placed upon increased intra-regional trade of agricultural commodities and the benefits that this is having in Africa’s regional economic areas. For example, a chapter on West Africa examines the potential for intra-regional trade to increase the region’s market resilience.
Key findings and policy implications, such as the need for African governments to further invest in infrastructure, are also detailed in this report, which substantiates its claims with figures and graphs. This makes the publication an essential guide to the diversification and the competitiveness of trade across the continent.
In this issue
Levelling Africa’s trade imbalance
Dr Ousmane Badiane, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Director for Africa, highlights opportunities to boost Africa’s intra-regional trade following the launch of the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor 2018.
Putting farmers’ experiences into practice
by Alex Miller
By examining the driving forces behind increased agricultural trade, at global and regional levels, the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor 2018 provides insight into the transformation of African economies. The success of intra-regional trade and improved global exports are studied against the backdrop of increasing African imports.
It is essential to work with indigenous people on climate change adaptation
Ahead of COP24, taking place in Poland between 3–14 December, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change, explains why indigenous knowledge must be taken into consideration.
Climate-smart agri-finance: A more resilient approach
As climate change poses fresh challenges to farmers across ACP countries, donors, development banks and private lenders are developing innovative blended finance and risk-sharing solutions.
Paving the way for a new generation of farmers
by Sam Price
Growing global youth populations could prove instrumental in developing climate-smart agriculture (CSA). But in order to achieve this, young people must have a say in decisions at every level – from the farm to the policy table.
Youth can bring a level of innovation to CSA initiatives
by Stephanie Lynch and Alex Miller
Ayesha Constable, the Jamaican National Coordinating Officer of the Japan Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (JCCCP) and founder of Young People for Action on Climate Change Jamaica, explains the importance of recognising youth as agents of change capable of creating effective climate-smart agriculture (CSA) solutions.
Young farmers club together for climate resilience
To incentivise more young people to engage in agriculture, a CTA-funded project is promoting the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) through clubs for young farmers.
Adding nutritional value to Kenyan crops
Farmers in Kenya are supplying a local agri-processing company with millet, groundnuts and honey to produce nutritious snacks and strengthen local value chains.
Kenyan farmers profit from growing aromatic market
by Bob Koigi
Through the provision of quality, adapted seeds, greenhouses and training in good agricultural practices, farmers in Kenya are diversifying their production with the introduction of herbs.
Fighting food insecurity with indigenous plants
In Niger, a social enterprise is using local plants that are resistant to the arid climate of the Sahel to produce nutritious food. The result is better incomes for farmers and a preserved environment.
By examining the driving forces behind increased agricultural trade, at global and regional levels, the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor 2018 provides insight into the transformation of African economies. The success of intra-regional trade and improved global exports are studied against the backdrop of increasing African imports.
