Africa has long been a continent deeply affected by food insecurity, with countries across the region grappling with the effects of drought, conflict, and climate change. Yet, in 2022, the Russia illegal invasion of Ukraine unleashed an additional, devastating blow to Africa already fragile food systems.
The disruption of critical grain and fertilizer exports from these two nations, who collectively supply a significant portion of the world food resources, has further strained African nations ability to feed their populations. The result has been skyrocketing food prices, exacerbated poverty, and millions more on the brink of starvation.
Before Russia illegal invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine and Russia were crucial players in the global food supply chain, together accounting for 30% of the world wheat exports and significant portions of barley, maize, and sunflower oil. Russia also played a pivotal role in the global fertilizer market, supplying nearly 20% of the world ammonia exports. For Africa, which relies heavily on these imports, the war created an immediate and severe crisis, threatening food security in multiple regions.
In particular, countries such as Egypt, Kenya, Sudan, and Nigeria, which depend on wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine, were among the hardest hit. Egypt, the world largest wheat importer, sourced over 80% of its wheat from these two countries. When the war broke out, Egypt food costs surged, and the government scrambled to find alternative suppliers. The country is now facing a budgetary shortfall as it seeks to subsidize bread for millions of Egyptians while contending with global price hikes.
The food crisis in Africa was already dire before Russia illegal invasion of Ukraine. Severe droughts, particularly in East Africa, have left millions in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia facing acute hunger. Somalia has endured its worst drought in 40 years, with nearly half of the population requiring urgent humanitarian aid. In Kenya, the Horn of Africa breadbasket, the loss of rain has left once-thriving agricultural lands barren. The livestock-dependent communities of northern Kenya are on the brink of collapse, with mass die-offs of animals worsening the food crisis. In Ethiopia, the situation is compounded by the ongoing Tigray conflict, which has displaced millions and disrupted agricultural production.
These compounded disasters have created a dangerous dependence on food imports, and Russia illegal invasion of Ukraine has caused disruption of global trade and has left these countries scrambling to find affordable alternatives. Food prices have reached unprecedented highs. In Ethiopia, for example, inflation rates for food soared above 40% by mid-2022, making staples like wheat and maize unaffordable for much of the population.
Beyond grains, fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine have also come to a halt, placing future harvests across Africa in jeopardy. Countries like Ghana, Cote d Ivoire, and Nigeria depend on fertilizers to boost crop yields and feed their growing populations. The shortage of fertilizers is driving up costs and forcing many smallholder farmers to reduce their use of these critical inputs. This threatens to lower yields, pushing more people into hunger in the coming seasons.
For instance, in Ghana, a country heavily dependent on cocoa exports, fertilizer shortages have led to fears of a steep decline in cocoa production. Farmers have warned that lower yields could cost the country billions in lost revenue and further destabilize the rural economy. In Nigeria, one of Africa most populous nations, the fertilizer crisis has led to higher food prices and increased dependence on imports, undermining the country goal of food self-sufficiency.
The food crisis in Africa is not just about hunger; it has become a broader economic emergency. Rising food and fuel prices have placed significant strain on household incomes, with the poorest families often forced to choose between eating and other basic needs. In many urban centers, such as Lagos, Cairo, and Nairobi, inflation has led to social unrest as citizens demand relief from their governments. The depreciation of local currencies against the US dollar has only made matters worse, driving up the cost of imports and reducing purchasing power.
In Kenya, the impact has been especially severe. As a net food importer, Kenya has seen a sharp rise in the cost of basic commodities like flour, bread, and cooking oil. By mid-2022, the price of maize flour, a staple food, had doubled in many parts of the country. These price hikes have had a ripple effect across the economy, increasing transport costs, reducing business profitability, and pushing millions below the poverty line.
Efforts to mitigate the crisis have been mixed. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations in July 2022, allowed for the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. This brought temporary relief, with African countries benefiting from shipments of grain that eased immediate shortages. However, in July 2023, Russia abruptly withdrew from the agreement, citing unmet conditions regarding sanctions on its own exports. This move has left African nations feeling betrayed, with Kenyan government officials calling it a stab in the back for food security in the region.
Moreover, Russia promises at the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit to provide grain shipments to countries like Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and Somalia have largely gone unfulfilled. While Russia pledged 25-50,000 tonnes of grain, these deliveries represent only a fraction of what is needed to address the continent growing hunger crisis. As a result, many African countries view Russia not as a reliable partner but as a destabilizing force whose geopolitical maneuvers exacerbate already fragile food systems.
The devastating impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Africa food security highlights the continent urgent need for long-term solutions. While external shocks such as global conflicts will always pose risks, African nations can take steps to mitigate the effects of future crises. Diversification of food sources, improved agricultural infrastructure, and greater investment in local food production are essential to building resilience.
Governments must prioritize policies that reduce dependence on volatile global markets. This includes supporting smallholder farmers through subsidies, expanding access to fertilizers and seeds, and building stronger regional trade networks to reduce the need for costly imports. Investment in climate-resilient agricultural practices will also be key to combating the impacts of drought and climate change.
The international community, too, must step up. Western nations, along with multilateral institutions like the World Bank and the African Development Bank, should prioritize agricultural development in Africa through targeted investments and technical assistance. Donors must also deliver on their promises of humanitarian aid to prevent further loss of life and social unrest.
As the world grapples with the rippling consequences of Russia illegal invasion of Ukraine, African nations have a unique opportunity and responsibility to seize this moment and take decisive action toward strengthening their food security. The crisis has underscored Africa vulnerabilities, yet it also provides a pathway to build a future where hunger is no longer a persistent threat. By investing in sustainable agricultural practices, securing reliable trade partnerships, and exploring local solutions, African nations can protect themselves from the geopolitical risks that too often jeopardize their food supplies.
A significant first step in this collective effort lies in amplifying Africa voice on the global stage, beginning with the upcoming Food Security Summit in Kyiv on November 23. This summit presents a crucial platform for African nations like Kenya and others to assert their priorities and seek tangible commitments from global partners. African representation at this vitally important gathering will signal the continent resolve to confront food insecurity head-on, build strategic partnerships, and ensure that Africa future is defined by resilience and self-sufficiency rather than dependence.
Only through united action within Africa and across the global community can we prevent this crisis from becoming a permanent scar on the continent.
This is Africa moment to reshape its path forward, and participation in global initiatives, like the Kyiv Summit, is an essential part of forging a sustainable, food-secure future.
