Africa-Press – Eswatini. More than 307 million people across Africa were undernourished in 2024, as rising food costs, climate shocks and conflict continue to make it harder for families to access enough food, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has revealed ahead of a regional conference scheduled for April 13 to 17, 2026 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
The warning, issued on March 31, 2026 by Abebe Haile-Gabriel, highlights the urgent need for African governments to strengthen agrifood systems, improve coordination and increase investment to protect vulnerable communities and ensure food security.
For many households, the crisis is already a daily struggle. Families are forced to stretch limited meals, while farmers face unpredictable weather and rising production costs. The cost of a healthy diet now averages USD 4.41 per person per day, placing proper nutrition beyond the reach of millions.
Despite agriculture employing nearly half of Africa’s labour force, the sector receives only about two percent of total bank lending, limiting growth and access to essential resources for farmers, particularly smallholders, women and young people.
At the same time, Africa holds nearly 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, offering significant potential to increase food production. However, underinvestment, weak infrastructure and fragmented markets continue to slow progress.
Climate variability remains a major threat, with droughts and erratic rainfall affecting harvests, while rising costs of fertiliser and fuel place further strain on farmers. In some regions, conflict has displaced communities and disrupted food supply chains.
The upcoming FAO Regional Conference is expected to bring together ministers from across the continent to translate commitments into practical solutions, including improving financing, strengthening coordination and supporting small-scale farmers.
FAO stressed that hunger is not inevitable, but a result of policy and investment choices, urging leaders to take decisive action to reverse current trends and secure a more stable and food-secure future for the continent.
Source: Eswatini Positive News – News Website
