In Eastern Africa, dairy value chains are an important source of income and employment for millions of smallholders, particularly for women who provide an essential contribution to the growth of the dairy sector. [Author] While the sector is rapidly growing, and expanding trade in dairy products holds immense potential for boosting inclusive economic growth in Eastern Africa, dairy trade mostly remains a small-scale domestic business in the region. [Author] In particular, women’s engagement in dairy markets and trade is constrained by gender-based barriers and inequalities, and dairy intensification and commercialization processes have led to uneven outcomes for women and men. [Author] As many countries are increasingly investing in the modernization of their dairy farming systems to spur dairy productivity and commercialization, it is essential that the gender implications of the market-driven development of the dairy sector are taken into consideration. [Author] This report reviews gender issues in the Eastern Africa dairy value chains, with a focus on markets and trade, in the context of broader regional policy frameworks and evolving market scenarios. [Author] In particular, gender policy developments in agricultural and trade policies relevant for the dairy sector are assessed for Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda. [Author] By bridging the value chain level into the enabling policy dimension, this study attempts to contribute to ongoing debates on the prospects for women’s participation in dairy markets and trade through more gender-responsive policymaking. [Author]

This brief paper explores the opportunities for African banks in financing intra-African food trade, in particular using value chain financing mechanisms (also called structured financing techniques). Value chain financing is used widely in the continent’s agricultural trade, but mostly for exports to and imports from other parts of the world, not for intra-African trade.

Africa’s Development Dynamics uses lessons from Central, East, North, Southern and West Africa to develop policy recommendations and share good practices. The 2022 edition explores how developing regional value chains can help African countries rebound from the socio-economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate productive transformation.

The African Economic Outlook 2014 analyses the continent’s growing role in the world economy and predicts two-year macroeconomic prospects. It details the performance of African economies in crucial areas.