New report calls for a bold action to avert food crisis in Africa
The report warns that without bold and coordinated reforms, the continent risks becoming the global epicenter of hunger by 2030.
The 2025 Africa Food Systems Report, launched during the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, has called for bold actions ranging from climate-smart farming and digital finance to stronger governance and regional trade as transformational tools to Africa’s food systems.
The report warns that without bold and coordinated reforms, the continent risks becoming the global epicenter of hunger by 2030.
“The transformation of Africa’s food systems will define the prosperity, health, and stability of the continent for generations. The choice before us is stark; act boldly now, or risk locking millions into cycles of hunger and poverty, “the report states
In 2023 alone, more than one in five Africans (nearly 300 million people) were undernourished, with population growth set to push demand to unprecedented levels.
“The transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems is no longer optional; it is existential. With the African population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the cost of inaction will be measured not only in hunger but also in economic stagnation, social unrest, and lost opportunities for the continent’s youth,” the report argues
The report also stated finance as a missing link in ensuring food security in Africa, urging governments, development partners and private sectors in Africa to scale up innovative instruments like blended finance, digital credit and agricultural insurance to unlock growth and resilience.
“The evidence is clear: Africa cannot feed its future with the tools of the past. We must invest not just in seeds and soil, but in governance, finance, and infrastructure that empower farmers as entrepreneurs and innovators,” the report states
The report underscored Africa’s capacity to lead a food systems transformation rooted in equity and sustainability if the continent embraces resilient infrastructure and expanded regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. John Ulimwengu, Lead Author of the 2025 AFSR, added: “This year’s AFSR is more than a call to action — it is a roadmap for systemic transformation. Africa has the vision, capacity, and collective leadership to shift from fragmented progress to integrated, resilient food systems. By aligning investments, strengthening institutions, and leveraging innovation, the continent can build inclusive agri-food systems that deliver decent jobs, healthy diets, and sustainable growth for all.”
The Africa Food Systems Report (AFSR) is the continent’s leading annual review of food and agriculture systems.
Produced with contributions from African researchers, policymakers, and international partners, it provides evidence, data, and policy pathways to guide Africa’s journey toward resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food systems.
