Food Security in 2026

Africa’s food security situation remains fragile and continues to deteriorate, with over 280 million people undernourished, especially in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, Central Africa, and parts of Southern Africa. Climate-related shocks such as recurrent droughts, floods, desertification, and declining soil fertility are undermining productivity in largely rain-fed agricultural systems. These pressures are exacerbated by rapid population growth, widespread youth unemployment, weak rural infrastructure, and limited access to credit and agricultural inputs. Protracted conflicts in countries including Sudan, South Sudan, the DRC, Somalia, and the Sahel disrupt food production and humanitarian access, while rising public debt restricts government investment in agriculture and social protection. Without decisive governance reforms, climate-resilient investments, and sustained support for smallholder farmers, food insecurity is likely to worsen in 2026.