Increase investment in trade and agriculture-WTO Chief urges African governments

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged African countries to create trade opportunities and increase investment in agriculture to address food security in Africa.

According to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, this can be done by “improving the availability of extension and advisory services, investing in research, promoting access to technology, science, and innovation, and improving infrastructure in rural areas.

She highlighted the need for trade integration through AfCFTA, alluding that “trade can connect producers and consumers across the [African] continent and beyond. It can also help to improve agricultural productivity and create jobs in rural areas”.

The Director-General of WTO in recounting a waiver of export restrictions on food that is bought by the World Food Programme, applauded WTO members as this will “make it easier for the agency to provide life-saving assistance to people facing humanitarian emergencies.”

“As many African countries import more food than they export, this is critical in ensuring that poor consumers can continue to access food at affordable prices when sudden shorts occur,” she added.

Her comments were contained in a speech read on her behalf at the 8th Africa Agribusiness and Science Week (AASW8) in Durban, South Africa on June 6.

”One-fifth of Africa’s population continues to face hunger despite being a continent with the world’s largest reserved arable land,” the statement concluded.