Why is Africa still importing so much of the food it consumes? What is holding back trade in food and agricultural products between African countries? In this interview, we speak with Professor David Luke, editor of How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks, an open-access book published by LSE Press.
We discuss the causes of food insecurity across Africa, the role of agricultural investment, and the barriers that make it difficult for African countries to trade food with one another. Professor Luke explains why non-tariff barriers matter, where intra-African food trade falls short, and what the AfCFTA could mean for African agriculture.
The conversation also covers Africa’s approach to the WTO, the future of the Malabo Declaration, countries making progress in agricultural transformation, and China’s role in African agriculture. The interview concludes with a discussion of where research on African agriculture should go next.
David Luke is Professor in Practice and Strategic Director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, LSE and Extraordinary Professor at North-West University, South Africa, specialising in African trade policy, trade negotiations, and development.
Selected Publications
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:39 Rethinking Africa’s Hunger Narrative
06:51 The Root Causes of Food Insecurity in Africa
12:28 How the Research Was Conducted
15:13 Why Non-Tariff Barriers Matter for African Food Trade
17:43 The Missing Link in Intra-African Food Trade
20:12 Agricultural Investment: Africa’s Internal and External Drivers
24:49 Africa’s WTO Strategy: Practical Outcomes Over Ideology
29:11 Does the Malabo Declaration Need an Upgrade?
31:11 Countries Driving Africa’s Agricultural Transformation
32:23 China’s Role in African Agriculture
34:36 Future Research Priorities in African Agriculture
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