Grow markets, fight hunger: a food security framework for US-Africa trade relations

Published by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, USA, in March 2015, this report considers that the African agriculture and food sector is expected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030. The US Congress has several legislative opportunities in 2015 to ensure that the USA is positioned to tap this burgeoning market, most notably by renewing the Trade Promotion Authority and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Putting the right trade policies in place is essential to meet food security goals. Improvements in regional trade and harmonization of standards and regulations would drive economic growth while improving the availability and affordability of nutritious foods throughout Africa. AGOA is the focal point of US-Africa trade relations but it does not benefit Africa’s agriculture sector enough. A new food security framework for US-Africa trade relations is proposed.