Sustainable Food Security in West Africa: Research Highlights and Findings

Strategic Insights -

Research on sustainable food and agriculture has led to the publication of a new report that investigates sustainable food security in West Africa, focusing on the role of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). The study aims to understand how long-term, targeted investments by development finance institutions influence food security outcomes in the region. The research found significant disparities across countries in West Africa, with undernourishment decreasing in only seven out of fifteen countries between 2015 and 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research used a quantitative, secondary research approach, combining a literature review with time series data, to examine three indicators: undernourishment, food insecurity, and AfDB-funded projects.
  • The study found that from 2015 to 2022, undernourishment decreased in only seven of fifteen countries in West Africa, while food insecurity rose in nearly all countries.
  • In 2022, 17% of the population in West Africa was undernourished, and 61% lived in moderate or severe food insecurity.
  • Nigeria recorded a relatively low undernourishment rate but had the highest absolute number of affected individuals due to its population size.
  • Since 1970, the AfDB has financed 339 food security-related projects in the region, with Ghana and Mali receiving the most projects, and Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria attracting the largest funding volumes.
  • The study contributed to understanding how long-term, targeted investments by development finance institutions influence food security outcomes in West Africa.
  • The research found that over time, the focus of AfDB projects evolved from rural development to climate resilience and value chain enhancement, showing a change in development priorities.

Statistics:

  • 8 billion: the global population that is putting pressure on food systems
  • 2000-2022: the time period during which undernourishment measurements were taken
  • 2014-2022: the time period during which food insecurity measurements were taken
  • 1970-2023: the time period during which AfDB-funded projects were examined
  • 339: the number of food security-related projects financed by the AfDB since 1970
  • 17%: the percentage of the population in West Africa that was undernourished in 2022
  • 61%: the percentage of the population in West Africa that lived in moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022
  • 7: the number of countries in West Africa where undernourishment decreased between 2015 and 2022
  • 15: the total number of countries in West Africa examined in the study

Sources:

  • "Bridging the funding gap: advancing sustainable food security in West Africa to achieve SDG 2." Discover Sustainability, 2025,6(1):1-18.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01335-1