By Agrifocus Africa Editorial Team

Nearly 164 million people across Africa are facing acute food insecurity, with ongoing conflicts, economic shocks and disruptions to agricultural production worsening hunger across the continent.

According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, this is the third consecutive year that more than 160 million Africans have experienced crisis-level food insecurity or worse. The figure is nearly three times the 61 million recorded in 2019.

The findings highlight the growing relationship between conflict, disrupted livelihoods and declining food access across African agricultural communities.

Conflict Remains the Biggest Driver

Conflict accounts for approximately 134 million, or 82 per cent, of Africans experiencing acute food insecurity.

Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Ethiopia account for approximately 60 per cent of the affected population.

Nigeria recorded the largest annual increase, with an additional 6.3 million people facing acute food insecurity. Violence in the northeast and northwest has displaced communities and disrupted farming, livestock production and trading activities.

Sudan remains severely affected, with an estimated 19.5 million people experiencing crisis-level food insecurity. Famine conditions also persist in parts of Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia.

South Sudan has the continent’s highest proportion of people facing acute food insecurity, at approximately 64 per cent of its population.

Economic Shocks and Agricultural Disruptions

Beyond conflict, economic shocks since 2019 have placed additional pressure on already vulnerable households.

Disruptions to food production, international trade and grain imports have contributed to elevated food prices, making basic food supplies increasingly difficult for low-income households to afford.

Displacement also prevents farmers from accessing their land, maintaining livestock and participating in local markets, weakening agricultural production and rural livelihoods.

In Southern Africa, Madagascar recorded a 96 per cent increase in acute food insecurity, affecting approximately 3.7 million people.

Meanwhile, improved climatic conditions contributed to reductions in food insecurity in Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe, demonstrating the importance of weather patterns to regional agricultural performance.

Strengthening Agricultural Resilience

The findings underline the need to address both the immediate causes of hunger and the structural weaknesses affecting African food systems.

Governments and development partners need to strengthen agricultural investment, support displaced farming communities, improve irrigation and storage infrastructure, and expand access to climate-resilient farming technologies.

Restoring agricultural livelihoods in conflict-affected areas is equally important to rebuilding local food production and market access.

For Africa, tackling food insecurity requires more than emergency food assistance. Sustainable agricultural investment, peaceful communities and resilient food systems are essential to ensuring that millions of households can access sufficient and affordable food.