Created mainly to promote intra-regional trade in goods, the Economic Community of West African States was also intended to reduce food insecurity in the region. However, the “security points”, set up along the trade corridors by the administrative authorities who take bribes, have limited the success of this policy. This corruption is measured not only in bribes – at up to $576 (US dollars) per 100 km in Togo in 2017 – but also time loss of more than three hours per 100 km. Putting an end to these practices, which equate to a tax on intra-regional trade, could lead to an increase in the production of food goods of 3% and in consumption by at least 4%. However, coercive policies will not be enough to put an end to these practices that aggravate food insecurity, due primarily to a fleet of trucks that do not comply with road safety and health standards, and to the low and irregular salaries of civil servants. Upstream measures, addressing the economic factors at the origin of corruption, such as the insufficient remuneration of civil servants and the dilapidation of road infrastructure and truck fleets, will be required.