Strategic Axis 1: Food and Nutrition Security

Agricultural production growth in the West African region has been remarkable over the past thirty years, resulting in an increase in per capita food availability (excluding imports) from 1,700 to 2,400 kilocalories during the 1980–2007 period. Despite these achievements—made possible by decades of efforts from States with the support of their partners—and in light of the region’s rapid population growth, the Sahel and West Africa remain affected by chronic food and nutrition insecurity. This issue has recently been worsening, particularly impacting vulnerable populations such as rural households, women, and children. On a daily basis, around 40% of the Sahelian population experiences food insecurity and chronic malnutrition.

In response to this situation, Sahelian and West African States have committed to developing and implementing sustainable food and nutrition security policies and strategies. These efforts include the adoption of the CILSS Strategic Framework for Food Security, the UEMOA Agricultural Policy (PAU), and ECOWAS’s ECOWAP. These initiatives focus on three main areas: (i) seeking sustainable structural solutions, (ii) implementing tools and instruments for managing food and nutrition crises, and (iii) strengthening early warning systems.