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Health

Resilience

SWAC:

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Social safety nets are a key tool for improving food and nutrition security, eradicating poverty and building resilience among the most vulnerable. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, cash transfers and fee waivers for basic services have helped protect livelihoods, particularly in urban areas. Despite the strong investment case, current spending and coverage levels are inadequate to address the high poverty rates and vulnerability to shocks in the region. Read on

27 Feb 2020

Ghana, an agricultural exception in West Africa?

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Ghana

Topics:

Environment

Gender

Resilience

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The Grain de Sel magazine produced by Inter-Réseaux développement rural is dedicated to Ghana’s experiences related to agricultural development. Ghana’s agricultural sector is mainly driven by exports crops, notably cocoa, and a liberal government policy which proactively supports the private sector. However, Ghana faces new challenges because of increasing inequality, low agricultural productivity and the degradation of natural resources. What can neighbouring countries learn from Ghana’s success story? Read on

18 Feb 2020

ECOWAS aims to co-ordinate food security responses

Country:

Niger

Topics:

Development co-operation

Resilience

Members:

ECOWAS

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Co-ordination was once again at the heart of the discussions at an ECOWAS high-level meeting, held on 17-18 February 2020 in Niamey, aimed at addressing the difficult food and nutrition situation in the Sahel and West Africa. In the spirit of the PREGEC Charter, participants assessed the response capacities at country, regional and partner level, and agreed on procedures to ensure effective co-ordination. Read on

09 Feb 2020

The growing potential of the UEMOA food economy

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Regional integration

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UEMOA

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The food sector, which comprises agriculture, food processing, food marketing and food-away-from-home, is a key pillar of all eight UEMOA economies. In 2020, the sector’s value is estimated at USD 43 billion or 30% of the Union’s GDP. By 2030, the UEMOA food economy is expected to more than double to reach USD 92 billion or 34% of the Union’s GDP. This unprecedented expansion occurs in a context of rapid urban development. Read on

09 Feb 2020

The growing potential of the UEMOA food economy

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Topics:

Regional integration

Members:

UEMOA

SWAC:

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The food sector, which comprises agriculture, food processing, food marketing and food-away-from-home, is a key pillar of all eight UEMOA economies. In 2020, the sector’s value is estimated at USD 43 billion or 30% of the Union’s GDP. By 2030, the UEMOA food economy is expected to more than double to reach USD 92 billion or 34% of the Union’s GDP. This unprecedented expansion occurs in a context of rapid urban development. Read on

09 Feb 2020

Estimated value of food sector by country

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Topics:

Democracy & Peace

Employment

Members:

ECOWAS

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The food sector, which comprises agriculture, food processing, food marketing and food-away-from-home, is a key pillar of all ECOWAS economies. In 2020, the sector’s value is estimated at USD 259 billion or 35% of regional GDP. The economic giant Nigeria alone accounts for 72% of the sector’s value. By 2030, the ECOWAS food economy is expected to nearly double to reach USD 473 billion or 33% of regional GDP. This unprecedented expansion occurs in a context of rapid urban development. Read on

08 Feb 2020

The growing potential of the ECOWAS food economy

Topics:

Economy

Employment

Members:

ECOWAS

SWAC:

Body:

The food sector, which comprises agriculture, food processing, food marketing and food-away-from-home, is a key pillar of all ECOWAS economies. In 2020, the sector’s value is estimated at USD 259 billion or 35% of regional GDP. The economic giant Nigeria alone accounts for 72% of the sector’s value. By 2030, the ECOWAS food economy is expected to nearly double to reach USD 473 billion or 33% of regional GDP. This unprecedented expansion occurs in a context of rapid urban development. Read on

06 Feb 2020

Severe food insecurity has doubled in the ECOWAS area

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About 8.5 million people were estimated to be in immediate need of assistance (phases 3-5) during October‑December 2019 in the 14 countries analysed in the ECOWAS area (excluding Liberia*), including 4 million in Nigeria, 1.4 million in Niger and 1.2 million in Burkina Faso. This is more than twice as many severely food insecure people compared to the same period in 2018. Read on

05 Feb 2020

Severe food insecurity has tripled in the UEMOA area

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About 3.8 million people were estimated to be in immediate need of assistance (phases 3-5) during October‑December 2019 in the eight UEMOA member countries, including 1.4 million in Niger, 1.2 million in Burkina Faso and 650 000 people in Mali. A large share of the population of Guinea‑Bissau is also food insecure (10.3% or 131 000 people). The number of people suffering from severe food insecurity has nearly tripled within the UEMOA area, compared to the same period in 2018. Read on

10 Dec 2019

More than twice as many severely food insecure people

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