Food is particularly expensive for households in sub-Saharan Africa – relative to their incomes. Prices are 30-40% higher than in the rest of the world with comparable per capita GDP levels. In West Africa, markets provide at least two-thirds of household food supplies and households spend an average of 55% of their budgets on food. “Transforming the food economy is key to lowering prices,” explains Thomas Allen from the Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat (SWAC/OECD) in an article published on the OECD Development Matters blog. Read on

The African Development Bank approved on 10 January a grant of USD 43 million to help Niger become more resilient to food and nutrition insecurity. It will support the implementation of the first phase of the Reform and Economic Resilience Support Programme (PARRE) covering the period of 2017-19. Read on

A new book by Deogratias Niyonkuru from Burundi, offers a large number of ideas and food for thought about the condition of African smallholder farmers. One key message: Farmers are not sufficiently involved in the decision-making processes that concern their future. The book will be presented at a GRIP meeting on 12 January in Brussels. Read on

Cabo Verde has reported almost no harvests for the 2017-18 agricultural season because of a severe drought. According to the Cadre harmonisé analysis, some 28 000 people (5.3%) are currently facing food insecurity. Following a call for assistance from the Cabo Verde government, several partners mobilised additional support to address the crisis. Read more Read on