Who Controls Africa's Food —  David Luke

11. 8. 2026

Why is Africa still importing so much of the food it consumes? What is holding back trade in food and agricultural products between African countries? In this interview, we speak with Professor David Luke, editor of How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks, an open-access book published by LSE Press.

We discuss the causes of food insecurity across Africa, the role of agricultural investment, and the barriers that make it difficult for African countries to trade food with one another. Professor Luke explains why non-tariff barriers matter, where intra-African food trade falls short, and what the AfCFTA could mean for African agriculture.

The conversation also covers Africa’s approach to the WTO, the future of the Malabo Declaration, countries making progress in agricultural transformation, and China’s role in African agriculture. The interview concludes with a discussion of where research on African agriculture should go next.

David Luke

David Luke is Professor in Practice and Strategic Director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, LSE and Extraordinary Professor at North-West University, South Africa, specialising in African trade policy, trade negotiations, and development. 

Publications 

How Africa Trades

How Africa Eats

Implementing the AfCFTA: A sluggish start

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:39 Rethinking Africa’s Hunger Narrative

06:51 The Root Causes of Food Insecurity in Africa

12:28 How the Research Was Conducted

15:13 Why Non-Tariff Barriers Matter for African Food Trade

17:43 The Missing Link in Intra-African Food Trade

20:12 Agricultural Investment: Africa’s Internal and External Drivers

24:49 Africa’s WTO Strategy: Practical Outcomes Over Ideology

29:11 Does the Malabo Declaration Need an Upgrade?

31:11 Countries Driving Africa’s Agricultural Transformation

32:23 China’s Role in African Agriculture

34:36 Future Research Priorities in African Agriculture