Cassava, rice, maize, and wheat account for 45% of the calories consumed across Africa, highlighting the continent’s heavy dependence on just these four staple foods, according to the World Bank report, Food at a Crossroads: The Nexus Between Transport, Logistics, and Food Security in Africa.
The report warns that this reliance leaves Africa vulnerable to supply disruptions, rising food prices, and climate-related shocks. A significant portion of these staples is imported from Europe, South Asia, and other regions, with Africa bringing in over 30 million tonnes of maize, more than 35 million tonnes of rice, and around 60 million tonnes of wheat annually.
Transport and logistics challenges compound the problem. Imported food often travels an average of 4,000 kilometers over 23 days before reaching consumers, four times longer than in Europe, exposing it to spoilage, loss, and delayed delivery. Many ports suffer from outdated systems, low capacity, and poor infrastructure, creating bottlenecks. Weak road networks, congested borders, and limited rural connectivity further slow distribution, increasing costs and reducing availability of staples.
Storage is another major concern. Inadequate facilities and poor handling practices mean that up to 40% of fruits and vegetables and 20–25% of cereals, rice, and maize are lost before reaching households. Losses of cassava, maize, rice, and wheat grew from 22.5 million tonnes in 2010 to 33.8 million tonnes in 2022—nearly 30% of annual imports. The World Bank stresses that investing in modern storage, logistics, and handling practices could significantly reduce these losses.
Nigeria faces a particularly urgent food security challenge. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization projects that about 34.7 million Nigerians could experience severe food shortages during the 2026 lean season from June to August. Rising production costs, insecurity in key farming regions, economic shocks, and limited access to markets and credit are driving the threat.
A recent Nairametrics survey of farmers in Nigeria’s North-Central and North-West regions revealed that soaring costs for fertiliser, fuel, and labour, combined with insecurity and limited government support, are making farming increasingly unprofitable. Many farmers reported reducing cultivation or considering abandoning their farms. Collapsed support schemes, such as the Anchor Borrowers Programme, and poor rural infrastructure have further discouraged production.
The report recommends targeted interventions, including subsidized inputs, improved access to credit, a mechanisation program, and enhanced rural security, as critical measures to avert severe food shortages in 2026 and beyond.
