Africa must own its food future – Analyst
DAR ES SALAAM: The uncertainty surrounding the future of the United States’ Food for Peace programme has reignited a debate that Africa can no longer afford to postpone: the continent’s dependence on external systems for its food security.
For decades, Food for Peace has served as one of the largest sources of emergency food assistance for developing countries, including many across Africa. Yet recent changes in Washington suggest the programme is shifting away from a purely humanitarian focus toward a model more closely aligned with American agricultural and trade interests.
While the changes are being debated in the United States, the implications for Africa extend far beyond aid budgets. They raise fundamental questions about sovereignty, self-reliance and the continent’s ability to feed itself in an increasingly unpredictable global environment.
The lesson is clear. Africa’s food security cannot remain dependent on policies designed and revised thousands of kilometres away.
The issue resonates with a broader Pan-African argument that political independence is incomplete without economic sovereignty. Across the continent, leaders, scholars and policymakers are increasingly questioning whether international systems adequately serve African interests.
Tanzanian opposition presidential candidate Doyo Hassan Doyo recently argued that global institutions often fail to reflect the priorities of developing nations. Speaking on international governance, he said Africa should strengthen its own systems rather than rely excessively on external structures.
“The objective is not isolation, but balance,” Doyo said, emphasizing the need for African countries to build institutions capable of advancing their own interests.
His remarks mirror concerns emerging in discussions around food security. If donor countries can reshape aid programmes according to domestic priorities, African nations remain vulnerable to decisions over which they have little influence.
The continent possesses many of the resources required to reduce that vulnerability. Africa holds vast agricultural land, significant freshwater resources and a rapidly growing labour force. Yet despite these advantages, many countries continue to import food and depend on emergency assistance during periods of crisis.
This contradiction reflects structural weaknesses that extend beyond agriculture itself. Limited investment in irrigation, storage facilities, transportation networks and agro-processing continues to undermine productivity. Large volumes of food are lost after harvest while millions remain vulnerable to food shortages.
Pan-African solutions have long been proposed but implementation has often lagged behind political rhetoric. The African Continental Free Trade Area presents an opportunity to strengthen regional food systems by allowing agricultural surpluses to move more efficiently across borders. Better integration would reduce dependence on imports from outside the continent while improving resilience during droughts, conflicts and supply disruptions.
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At the same time, governance remains central to achieving food sovereignty.
Political analyst Dr. Lupa Ramadhani of the University of Dar es Salaam argues that strong domestic institutions are essential if African countries are to reduce external influence and strengthen policy independence.
“Failure to act internally invites external attention,” Ramadhani observed during a recent discussion on governance and sovereignty.
His assessment applies equally to food security. Weak agricultural institutions, inconsistent policies and inadequate investment often create conditions that require external intervention. Building resilient food systems therefore requires not only financial resources but also effective governance and accountability.
The debate surrounding Food for Peace arrives at a time when many African governments are reassessing their position within a changing global order. Increasing geopolitical competition, shifting aid priorities and growing economic nationalism among major powers are forcing countries to rethink traditional development strategies.
For Africa, the response should not be confrontation with international partners. Humanitarian assistance will remain important during emergencies, and international cooperation continues to offer significant benefits.
However, partnerships should complement African development priorities rather than define them.
The future of the continent’s food security will depend less on decisions made in Washington, Brussels or other global capitals and more on choices made in African capitals. Investment in agriculture, regional trade, infrastructure and governance will ultimately determine whether future generations inherit food sovereignty or continued dependence.
The evolving Food for Peace programme is therefore more than a debate about aid. It is a reminder that genuine independence requires the capacity to feed one’s own people. For Africa, that objective remains both an economic necessity and a Pan-African imperative.
