This session hosted by IFAD in partnership with AKADEMIYA2063 and IFPRI will draw from findings of the 2021 Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) as well as previous editions to explore (i) the impacts of COVID-19 on Africa’s agricultural trade and (ii) the potential of increased intra-African trade to build the resilience of food systems components and actors, in particular smallholder farmers.

The panel discussion will highlight innovations being carried out to support intra-African trade for the benefit of smallholders and other actors as well as next steps for advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA. Participants will be introduced to the AATM as a unique source of high-quality data and analysis on African agricultural trade and will gain insight into the potential roles of intra-African trade in accelerating economic recovery and building resilience in the context of COVID-19. 

The event will aim to answer the following questions:

• What is the role of innovation and intra-African trade in accelerating the recovery of African economies from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic?


• What role can innovation in regional trade play in stabilizing domestic food supplies and increasing the resilience of markets to local production and price shocks? 


• What are the potential benefits of AfCFTA implementation and increased intra-African trade for local producers?


• What are the next steps for the AfCFTA Secretariat and other actors to advance AfCFTA implementation? 


• How can African countries, regions and continental institutions ensure that responses to future crises do not impede cross-border trade?

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