Addis Ababa: A global report released Monday projects that Africa will account for nearly 60% of the world’s hungry people by 2030. The report by five United Nations agencies highlights a concerning trend, stating that more than one in five people on the African continent—totaling around 307 million individuals—were chronically undernourished in 2024, marking an increase in hunger compared to 20 years ago.
According to Deutsche Welle, around 673 million people worldwide, or 8.2% of the global population, experienced hunger in 2024, a slight decrease from 8.5% in 2023. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report (SOFI) attributes this persistent hunger in Africa to productivity gains failing to keep pace with rapid population growth, compounded by conflict, extreme weather events, and inflation. Conflicts in hotspot areas such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo have exacerbated the situation, driving many into extreme circumstances.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the broader impact of hunger, stating, “Hunger feeds future instability and undermines peace,” during a video address to the Food Systems Summit in Ethiopia. The report also notes that some African countries face significant challenges due to debt overhang, which limits public expenditure on food. Lario from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) told DW that many African nations are struggling with debt repayments, with high interest rates consuming 10-25% of public expenditure. This financial burden distracts from potential investments needed to address food insecurity, prompting calls for debt relief or adjustments to debt interest payments.
The SOFI report indicates a positive trend in other regions, with decreases in the percentage and number of people unable to afford a healthy diet in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, and Europe. However, the situation in Africa has worsened, with the percentage rising from 64.1% in 2019 to 66.6% in 2024, translating to an increase from 864 million to 1 billion people. In countries like Nigeria, significant food price hikes in staples such as starchy foods and oils have further undermined food security and nutrition, especially for the poorest households.
Public health nutritionist Tendai Gunda explained to DW that escalating food prices and limited income are primary factors sustaining malnutrition, under-nutrition, micro-nutrient deficiency, and diet-related non-communicable diseases. She stressed that where diets are least affordable, rates of wasting and stunting are highest.
To combat this growing crisis, food security organizations are advocating for strong political will, robust public financing, and comprehensive development plans aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency. IFAD President Lario emphasized the importance of investments in rural areas to address both poverty and hunger, asserting that more countries should aim for self-sufficiency to enable small-scale farmers to market their produce effectively.
Nutritionists like Gunda also urge governments to prioritize agricultural-food supply chains as essential services and maintain open intra-African trade corridors. She further recommends supporting nutrition governance through funding multi-sectoral food and nutrition councils and elevating women’s land use and finance rights, a policy shown to improve child and maternal health.