The West African food trade environment - Private sector perceptions of barriers, opportunities and the future

Abstract

This paper provides new evidence on private sector perceptions on intra-regional food trade in West Africa, drawing on a survey of more than 3 200 food traders operating across 32 markets in eight countries. The dataset allows for a differentiated analysis by business size, gender, country and product specialisation. The findings reveal an extensive, economically significant, and market-driven sector, though it remains predominantly informal. While over 80% of traders are unregistered, the median trader has an average monthly turnover of USD 13 289 and employs five workers. Traders respond strongly to market signals, such as price differentials and demand patterns, and more than half (56%) trade with non-neighbouring countries. Overall, 62% of traders report a positive business outlook for the next five years, with variations across countries and food products. The main constraints identified extend beyond border procedures and include limited access to finance, insecurity, and inadequate transport and market infrastructure. This analysis points to a strong but under-leveraged market dynamic and underscores the need for better-adapted policies to unlock the potential of intra-regional food trade.