The Tripartite of Food Security, Diplomacy and National Security in West Africa

Abstract

Food insecurity has been a dimension of insecurity nations of the world have faced right from time, but a more formidable threat to food sufficiency in the post COVID pandemic and Russia Ukraine war has distorted the initial success that has been achieved. Characterized by its proximity to the Sahara Desert and the intensifying threat of desertification, West Africa remains one of the most climate-sensitive regions in the world, where food insecurity has profound security, political and development implications. Upon this the study examines the dynamics of food security- driven economic diplomacy in West Africa from 2015 to 2024, with a focus on how regional and international actors including ECOWAS, the African Union, the European Union, China, and multilateral institutions have utilized diplomatic instruments, aid flows, and trade agreements to confront chronic food insecurity. The research frames food security not solely as a humanitarian concern but as a strategic tool within the broader security-development nexus that shapes regional political and economic stability. Anchored in the theoretical lens of regime theory and using a mixed-methods design, the research draws on data from 400 respondents across stakeholders from locales,  international organizations and regional bodies. The Taro Yamane formula was used to guide the sample size determination, and the data were analyzed both statistically and thematically. Empirical findings highlight major interventions such as the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve (RFSR), the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), and the REWARD-ECOWAS rice initiative. While these efforts have recorded measurable gains in food availability and market integration, structural challenges such as elite capture, corruption, dependency on imports, and insecurity persist. The study concludes that food security economic diplomacy in West Africa has achieved partial success, with significant progress in institutional frameworks and regional cooperation, but limited structural transformation and sustainable food production. In lieu of this it recommends a  stronger intclusive governance mechanisms, investment in local food systems, and regional autonomy in  negotiation processes.