Geopolitics Shaping Africa's Food Independence

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Reassessing Africa’s Food Security and the Role of External Partnerships

Africa is navigating a complex landscape of geopolitical shifts, economic challenges, and evolving global dynamics. As the continent strives to achieve food security, it must reevaluate its relationships with external partners. This process involves examining the unique challenges faced by its agricultural sector, rethinking production models, and leveraging available resources for sustainable growth.

In the short term, many African nations have embraced import substitution as a strategy to bolster food security. Ensuring economic sovereignty has long been a priority since achieving political independence. However, despite these efforts, many countries remain heavily reliant on food imports, even for staples that could be produced locally. This dependency not only strains national budgets but also undermines long-term food security goals.

Benin serves as a compelling case study in this context. With a population of approximately 14.8 million people, Benin is situated along the Gulf of Guinea, sharing borders with Togo and Nigeria. The country possesses arable land, and while about 45% of its population lives in urban areas, 55% reside in rural regions where agriculture is the primary occupation. With a relatively young population—having a median age of 18 years—Benin has the potential to modernize its farming practices with government support.

Despite these advantages, Benin remains a food-deficit country. Domestic production, primarily based on subsistence farming, is insufficient to meet the needs of its growing population. The country relies heavily on imported staples such as rice, poultry, fish, and wheat from countries like Russia, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. These imports are critical to meeting local demand but highlight the need for more sustainable agricultural strategies.

Key food imports include:

• Rice: The single largest food import.
• Poultry: Frozen poultry meat is a major import.
• Fish: Frozen fish is also a significant import.
• Wheat & Flour: Essential for bread and other baked goods.
• Palm Oil & Sugar: Other important food items imported.

Benin's main suppliers include India, Thailand, China, Russia, UAE, Brazil, and Togo. In 2024, for instance, Benin imported $658 million worth of goods from India, including rice, meat, and poultry, while imports from China exceeded $500 million. These figures underscore the scale of reliance on foreign sources.

International financial institutions, such as the World Bank, have attempted to support Benin in achieving food security. One notable initiative is the Agricultural Productivity Diversification Project (PADA), which aimed to improve agricultural productivity through better inputs, training, and infrastructure. While PADA helped increase crop yields and create employment opportunities, Benin still faces significant challenges in transitioning from import dependency to self-sufficiency.

The role of regional trade hubs cannot be overlooked. Benin's port plays a crucial role in processing agricultural cargo destined for larger markets like Nigeria, highlighting its strategic position in regional food supply chains. However, this also raises questions about the long-term sustainability of relying on imports rather than developing domestic production.

Recent developments in Russia-Africa relations have further complicated the food security landscape. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has engaged in discussions with Benin’s officials, emphasizing cooperation in trade, investment, and resource development. Russia has also increased its poultry exports to African countries, with Benin emerging as one of the top importers. This trend highlights the growing influence of Russia in Africa’s food market.

While these partnerships offer economic benefits, they also raise concerns about long-term dependency. Many African leaders and experts argue that food sovereignty should not be built on importing from external partners, especially when local resources remain underutilized. Instead, there is a growing call for policies that prioritize import substitution, invest in domestic agriculture, and promote public-private partnerships.

Looking ahead, Africa must rethink its approach to food security. The focus should shift from dependency to resilience, with an emphasis on building internal agricultural capacity. Mechanizing food production, creating jobs, and ensuring self-sufficiency are essential steps toward achieving true food sovereignty.

In this changing era, food security is no longer just a developmental issue—it is a cornerstone of national security, economic independence, and global standing. For Africa, the time to act is now. By investing in homegrown solutions and fostering sustainable agricultural practices, the continent can move closer to achieving true food sovereignty.