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Abstract
Efforts and initiatives to combat hunger and malnutrition in Africa are gaining momentum at
all levels—local, national, continental, and international. To design and implement effective
strategies for action, it is vital that we have a clear understanding of the problems and options.
In this 2020 discussion paper, Todd Benson reviews the extent of food and nutrition insecurity
across Africa. He assesses recent patterns and trends, exploring where significant progress
has occurred, or not, and why. The differences between food and nutrition security, and how
they are linked, are clarified. Benson examines the key direct and indirect determinants and
consequences of food and nutrition insecurity in the African context and offers a menu of
actions and strategies.
Lack of access to and availability of food—the key factors behind food insecurity—remain
central concerns in Africa. When food insecurity interacts with health and care problems it
translates into nutrition insecurity. HIV/AIDS is an important issue in that context. This comprehensive
paper gives prominent attention to the oft-neglected issue of nutrition security.
Reflecting emerging Africa-wide initiatives, the paper takes a continental perspective, which
should be helpful for strategic consideration by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development
(NEPAD) and the African Union.
This paper was commissioned for the IFPRI 2020 Africa Conference on “Assuring Food and
Nutrition Security in Africa by 2020: Prioritizing Actions, Strengthening Actors, and
Facilitating Partnerships,” held in Kampala, Uganda on April 1–3, 2004. There, it served to
illuminate the discussions on why Africa has not yet achieved food and nutrition security and
what needs to be done. I am sure this paper can influence the dialogues and indeed actions
being undertaken to end hunger and malnutrition in Africa.