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International trade

Strengthening Food Supplies in West Africa through Better Data Tools

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A workshop in Nigeria, facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC), demonstrated the potential of reliable data tools in improving food trade policies and deepening integration in West Africa. The event, which took place from 24 to 27 March 2025, brought together 43 policymakers from eight West African countries to learn how to use ITC's suite of tools to analyze trade data and strengthen agricultural value chains.

Key Takeaways:

  • The workshop focused on teaching policymakers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) how to use ITC tools to evaluate export potential and market opportunities for various food products, including cassava, maize, onions, pineapple, rice, and tomatoes.
  • The training provided statistics offices, trade promotion agencies, and regional research institutes with the necessary skills to explore how food is traded in the informal economy, a critical aspect often overlooked in formal trade statistics.
  • The workshop highlighted the importance of reliable data tools and methodologies in strengthening food trade policy and promoting deeper integration in West Africa.
  • Key ECOWAS Directorates and national statistical offices were represented among the 43 participants, including 16% who were women.
  • The ITC's interactive dashboard, created to visualize informal trade data in the region, received positive feedback from participants, who suggested enhancements such as adding domestic supply-demand data and improving the dashboard's usability.

Statistics:

  • 43 policymakers from eight West African countries attended the workshop, representing 16% of whom were women.
  • The workshop focused on six food products: cassava, maize, onions, pineapple, rice, and tomatoes.
  • The ITC has developed a suite of tools to analyze trade data and strengthen agricultural value chains in West Africa.
  • The workshop was conducted under the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Programme, which aims to strengthen food trade policies and promote deeper integration.

Sources:

  • M2 PressWIRE, August 22, 2025
  • International Trade Centre (ITC)
  • 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
  • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
  • ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Programme

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