The Constraints on Food Supply and Distribution Systems to African Towns: The Viewpoints of FSDS Actors

Despite differences in pace and sequencing of adjustment programmes, economic liberalization has had far-reaching effects on the structure and the relative importance of actors involved in the supply and distribution of food in most African cities. Market reforms called for significant changes in the role of public and private sector agencies in food supply and distribution. Most public trading and marketing organizations previously responsible for marketing local and imported goods have been eliminated or privatized, while the private sector have now taken centre stage in food supply systems in many African cities. In Guinea, for instance, traders no longer need a licence or permit to import and/or distribute foodstuffs and are only required to submit import applications to banks. In Senegal and Burkina Faso, the role of the Ministry of Trade in food supplies is limited to drawing up and applying regulations for the whole trade sector. Major problems have arisen, however, as a result of these changes largely because of capacity constraints which limit the ability of the private sector to operate an efficient food supply chain. The public sector is similarly constrained in performing its facilitating role of supporting private initiative and coordinating an effective food supply policy for cities. Many actors face a variety of problems in performing their essential functions, including financing, purchasing, storage, transport, sales, coordination and planning.