In West Africa, where food insecurity remains an enduring challenge, the silent drain of food loss and waste (FLW) is often overlooked. From the sun-scorched farms of northern Nigeria to the bustling markets of Accra and Dakar, millions of tonnes of food vanish along the supply chain. Though poorly characterised, a significant percentage of food is produced and harvested but never consumed. This loss undermines livelihoods, worsens hunger, and contributes significantly to environmental degradation.
Recent advancements in technology and innovation make it possible to move beyond anecdotes and accurately quantify FLW. With accurate data on the amount and rate of FLW, governments and organisations can design smarter, more targeted interventions to reduce FLW effectively.
The promise of contemporary monitoring tools
Mobile applications and digital platforms generate reliable, geo-tagged data directly from the field and can contribute to addressing long-standing data gaps. Examples such as FarmForce and AgroTrack are already empowering farmers, aggregators, processors, and other relevant stakeholders in other parts of the world to record food losses in real time.
Remote sensing technologies such as drones and satellite imagery provide macro-level visibility and can complement ground-level insights. They can detect crop losses caused by floods, pests, or droughts, and thus enable governments, development agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to identify seasonal loss patterns and design early warning systems to mitigate risks.
Additionally, blockchain and AI-driven traceability systems, which capture or document every step of the chain with precision and accountability, can improve transparency along food supply chains in West Africa by enabling tamper-proof tracking from farm to market. For perishable goods like tomatoes, fish, and grains, which are often lost due to poor handling or storage, these tools can pinpoint exactly where, how, and why losses occur, allowing for targeted interventions. To ensure consistency and comparability, stakeholders should consider and incorporate standardised protocols such as the FAO’s Food Loss Assessment Methodologies and the World Resources Institute’s FLW Standard, which provide structured frameworks for documenting losses.
Meanwhile, real-time market information systems, such as eSoko and mFarm, are helping to monitor gluts and price crashes that often contribute to waste. When integrated with AI, these platforms can predict surpluses and recommend timely interventions, such as improved storage or redistribution strategies. On the consumer end, innovative tools like sensors, smart bins, and digital weighing systems can be piloted in urban centers to track waste from supermarkets, restaurants, and households. Available evidence indicates that these data streams uncover behavioral patterns that traditional surveys might miss, and can therefore offer a more nuanced understanding of food waste dynamics in different regions.
The opportunities: Why now is the time
The capacity to pinpoint exactly where food is lost can keep more food in the system and significantly boost food security. Contemporary digital monitoring tools can also translate into or create novel work roles, such as drone operators, data analysts, and supply chain specialists. Widespread adoption may therefore provide opportunities for job creation and digital upskilling.
Moreover, the ability to document FLW with reliable data strengthens the region’s position to attract competitive climate finance and investments. For instance, well-documented, reliable data can better position many West African countries to access competitive funds to reduce emissions and build sustainable food systems. Accurate data also enables countries to quantify the environmental impact of food loss, including embedded greenhouse gas emissions. This can strengthen the case for climate-smart interventions and significantly help West Africa reduce its food production-associated ecological footprint.
On a broader scale, shared standards and cross-border data flows can foster regional cooperation and allow ECOWAS states to harmonise policies, optimise storage infrastructure, and minimise transboundary trade losses. This collaborative approach can, in addition to enhancing food security, also strengthen economic ties and trade efficiency across the region.
The challenges: Why getting there won’t be easy
Despite the immense potential benefits, scaling these innovative tools across West Africa is potentially fraught, and several significant hurdles must be addressed to unlock their full potential. One of the most pressing challenges is the gap in digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where post-harvest losses are often rife. Many of these regions lack reliable internet connectivity, consistent electricity, or the digital literacy needed to operate advanced tools effectively. Additionally, the high initial costs of technologies like blockchain, drones, and AI systems are a barrier to widespread adoption, making strong public-private partnerships and donor support essential to bridge the financial gap.
Even where data is collected, it is reasonable to anticipate issues of fragmentation and trust. Data collection and management are often siloed or unreliable, and farmers, traders, and other relevant stakeholders may hesitate to share sensitive information due to mistrust or fears of resultant regulation, such as increased taxation. Furthermore, while countries may adopt standardised FLW measurement protocols, enforcement remains weak. Without clear incentives or penalties, data collection efforts can often be inconsistent or half-hearted. In any case, fundamental infrastructural deficits, such as poor food storage and transport infrastructure, are still a problem and must be addressed.
Cultural and behavioral barriers are another potentially significant deterrent. In many markets and households, food waste is either normalised or covert, and shifting these deeply ingrained attitudes, particularly in contexts where waste is seen as a sign of abundance, will require time, education, and targeted awareness campaigns. Addressing these challenges will, however, be critical to ensuring that the region can fully harness the potential of these tools to reduce FLW, enhance food security, and build more sustainable food systems.
Measuring is the first step to fixing
For too long, West Africa’s FLW have remained poorly measured, inadequately documented, and largely ignored. Yet, we cannot fix what we do not measure. Emerging, contemporary digital and scientific tools can remedy this trend. With smart investments, regional cooperation, and a sufficiently strong political will, West Africa can exploit advancements in data science to make its food systems more resilient, efficient, and equitable.
The stakes are high, but so is the potential. In a region hungry for progress, measuring the food we lose may be the most powerful step toward feeding our future.
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Oluwadara Alegbeleye is a microbiologist and science communicator. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Campinas, São Paulo. Her research focuses on food safety, microbial risk assessment, and sustainable food systems. Her work has been featured in numerous newspapers and contributes to global discussions on agriculture, climate resilience, and food security.
Adama Ndour is a distinguished data scientist, visualisation artist, and AI expert whose work bridges cutting-edge technology with real-world impact. He holds a PhD in computer science. With research spanning critical areas such as food security, climate change, and environmental protection, Adama leverages advanced analytical tools and innovative visualisation techniques to uncover insights that drive impactful solutions that improve millions of farmers’ livelihood. His contributions have been recognised internationally, with groundbreaking research papers published in a leading peer-reviewed journal, positioning him at the forefront of global scientific innovation.
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