A new World Bank report suggests that Africa can earn billions
and avoid food crises by removing the constraints on food trade
within the region, writes GBENGA ADENIJI The belief that Africa
has the potential to prosper has been rekindled through a new
World Bank report which indicates that the continent’s farmers
can grow enough food to feed the continent and prevent future
food crises. The report adds that it is possible if African
countries remove cross-border restrictions on the food trade
within the region. According to the report, the continent will
also generate an extra $20bn yearly if its leaders can agree to
do away with trade barriers that hinder more regional vitality.
The report tagged Africa Can Help Feed Africa: Removing barriers
to regional trade in food staples, was released on the
organisation’s website on October 24. It says, ‘‘With as many as
19 million people living with the threat of hunger and
malnutrition in West Africa’s Sahel region, the Bank report
urges African leaders to improve t