The Effect of Food Value Chain Interventions on Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and...

This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the quantitative associations between food value chain (FVC) interventions and household food security outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Seven databases with no date restrictions were searched from 1 July 2024 to 25 February 2025. Pooled mean differences (PMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effects models (I ² > 50%). Of 739 studies screened, 31 met the inclusion criteria, including four multi-country studies spanning 10 countries, yielding 37 study units. Of these, 73% were quasi-experimental studies, 13.5% were cluster randomized controlled trials, and 13.5% were individually randomized controlled trials. Relative to non-participants, household participation in FVC interventions was associated with a 16-percentage-point lower prevalence of food insecurity (95% CI: -20.13, -11.01; p < 0.001), higher food composition scores (FCS; PMD = 6.83%; 95% CI: 1.25, 12.41; p = 0.017), greater dietary diversity (DD; PMD = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.72; p < 0.001), and higher daily energy intake (PMD = 506 kcal; 95% CI: 176, 837; p < 0.01). Food expenditure was approximately USD 42 higher per person per year (PMD = 42.33; 95% CI: 21.94, 62.71; p < 0.001), and nutrient adequacy scores were higher (PMD = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.25; p < 0.01). Relative to non-participants, children living in households participating in FVC interventions had higher weight-for-age z-scores (PMD = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.34). At the producer level, household participation in FVC interventions was associated with higher farm income per hectare (PMD = USD 45; 95% CI: 19.17, 70.04; p < 0.001) and lower post-harvest losses (PMD = -4%; 95% CI: -8.4, -0.2; p < 0.05). No statistically significant associations were observed for height-for-age, weight-for-height, or maize aflatoxin levels. Overall, household participation in FVC interventions was consistently associated with more favorable household food security outcomes, although findings are predominantly derived from quasi-experimental evidence. With substantial heterogeneity was observed across several outcomes, particularly for DD and FCS, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Future programmes may benefit from participatory co-design and closer alignment with local cultural contexts, markets, and food-system dynamics.