The role of International Trade on Food Security in Africa

Abstract

This study examines the impact of international trade on food security in 31 African countries from 1980 to 2013, focusing on trade openness and food imports. Using an Auto Regressive Distributive Lag technique, the findings reveal that trade openness positively affects long-term food security, while food imports have a negative long-term impact but a positive short-term effect. The study suggests reducing trade barriers and import prices to enhance food security and emphasizes the need to consider other factors influencing food security alongside trade liberalization.