The Effect of Food Value Chain Interventions on Food Security in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

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.