Niger Crisis: A Looming Food Crisis for West Africa

Niger Crisis: A Looming Food Crisis for West Africa – Recent political upheaval in Niger threatens to strain food markets across West Africa, including Nigeria, warns the World Bank. The ripple effect of the coup d’état in Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa, may have profound implications for food security in the region.

Background and Implications

The World Bank’s September ‘Food Security Update‘ highlighted that the Nigerien coup could place an extra seven million people at risk of severe food insecurity. This comes at a time when the region is already grappling with skyrocketing commodity and staple food prices, with 3.3 million people facing acute food shortages during the lean season.

Furthermore, the economic and financial sanctions placed on Niger by the Economic Community of West African States and the West African Economic and Monetary Union have had a domino effect. Food prices in Niger shot up by a staggering 21% in August alone, restricting impoverished households’ access to essential food items and making it challenging to meet their nutritional requirements.

Hindered Aid and Future Concerns

The World Bank expressed concerns about the Nigerien government’s diminishing capacity to roll out its food assistance initiatives. While the World Food Programme’s continuous food aid is deemed crucial, the current restrictions are impeding the smooth delivery of this aid. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) anticipates that the upcoming agricultural season will face hurdles like seed shortages, expensive fertilizers, and lack of feed, which will further aggravate the food security situation.

A Wider Perspective

Taking a broader view, the World Bank highlighted that Western and Central Africa are already in the grip of an enduring food crisis. The number of people requiring food and nutritional assistance in the region has seen a sharp increase – from about 10.7 million in 2019 to a staggering 40 million projected for 2022 and 2023. Between June and August 2023, a daunting 42.5 million people in Nigeria and other West African nations are expected to be in the throes of a food crisis.

The primary contributors to this deteriorating situation include civil unrest leading to forced displacements, climatic shocks, political instability, and the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conflict in Ukraine has further amplified foodstuff and commodity price volatility, resulting in widespread inflation. As a testament to the ongoing crisis, a recent report by The PUNCH highlighted stranded vehicles at the Nigeria-Niger border due to the recent coup, emphasizing the potential collapse of a $226.34 million trade between the two nations.

The unfolding situation in Niger serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global events. As political instability continues to grip the nation, its repercussions are felt far and wide, with Nigeria and the broader West African region bracing for a deepening food security crisis. The international community, regional bodies, and local governments must rally together to navigate these challenging times and ensure that the most vulnerable are protected.