Understanding Africa’s hunger challenge
- Maria Costa
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Despite the world producing sufficient food to nourish every individual, a staggering 280 million people in Africa suffer from malnourishment, while 340 million experience food insecurity. This paradox, where abundance coexists with hunger, underscores deep-rooted structural and economic challenges.
David Luke, Professor in Practice at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at LSE and editor of How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security, and Climate Risks, highlights that food insecurity is not an inevitability but a policy failure. His research suggests that while Africa remains a net food importer, external shocks such as pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, and climate change exacerbate an already fragile system. The issue is not merely about food availability but about economic equality, trade policies, and sustainability.
Dependence on imports and global market volatility
Africa’s reliance on food imports 82% of staple foods are sourced externally—makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in global markets. The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and extreme weather patterns have further strained food supply chains. Additionally, G20-imposed export restrictions on essential commodities, including fertilisers and animal feed, have escalated food prices, deepening the crisis.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warns that Africa’s reliance on external food sources leaves millions at risk. While regions such as Asia have leveraged the Green Revolution to strengthen local agriculture, African nations have yet to establish the necessary policy coalitions for similar success.
Africa’s food security: What is being produced and traded?
An analysis of key food products essential for African diets wheat, yams, cassava, maize, rice, poultry, meat, and fish reveals systemic inefficiencies. Only yams, predominantly grown in Nigeria, are produced competitively across the continent. Despite vast coastlines, Africa’s fisheries are often exploited by foreign fleets, which export fish back to the continent at higher prices, further worsening food insecurity.
Moreover, African countries predominantly export cash crops like cocoa, coffee, and tea, rather than staple foods. Revenue from these exports is then used to import food, creating an unsustainable economic cycle. Experts argue that a shift in agricultural policy and investment is essential for long-term sustainability and food sovereignty.
Systemic policy failures: The need for urgent reform
A fundamental issue highlighted in How Africa Eats is the inadequate investment in agriculture. Shockingly, only 8% of foreign aid allocated to Africa is directed towards agricultural development. Professor Luke emphasises that while climate adaptation research is progressing, governments are not investing sufficiently in climate-resilient crops and sustainable agricultural practices.
Key policy recommendations include:
· Increasing investment in local food production to reduce dependency on imports.
· Establishing subsidies for African-grown staple crops, ensuring affordability and accessibility.
· Strengthening trade policies to prioritise food security over cash crop exports.
· Enhancing agricultural infrastructure and research funding.
Global trade policies and the wto paradox
A significant challenge for African agriculture is its positioning within World Trade Organization (WTO) frameworks. WTO rules permit agricultural subsidies, allowing wealthier nations to overproduce staple crops, making them more affordable on the global market. While these subsidies help African consumers by keeping food available, they undermine local farmers, who struggle to compete.
Professor Luke and his team conclude that WTO policies are not solely to blame; rather, the crisis stems from Africa’s lack of agricultural investment and an overreliance on external trade. Without intervention, the continent risks deepening food insecurity for future generations.
A blueprint for activists and policymakers
How Africa Eats serves as both an academic analysis and an activist guide, offering actionable solutions grounded in data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The book is open access, ensuring widespread dissemination among policymakers, researchers, and grassroots organisations working to drive sustainable food security initiatives.
Africa’s hunger crisis is not an inevitability. Through strategic policy reforms, investment in sustainable agriculture, and stronger regional trade frameworks, the continent can move towards a more secure and self-sufficient future. Addressing economic equality, climate action, and agricultural innovation is critical in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring food security for all.