COVID-19 and food insecurity in Africa: a review of the emerging empirical evidence

Tabe-Ojong, Martin Paul Jr. / Emmanuel Nshakira-Rukundo / Bisrat Haile Gebrekidan
External Publications (2023)

in: European Review of Agricultural Economics 50 (3), 853-878

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/erae/jbad008
Open access

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) risks rolling back many of the efforts and global successes recorded in reducing poverty and food insecurity. We undertake a systematic search and review of the growing microeconomic literature on the association between COVID-19 and food insecurity in Africa, discussing its implications for food policy and research. Furthermore, we review the various coping strategies households employ to build resilience to COVID-19. The evidence indicates that COVID-19 is associated with an increase in food insecurity both ex-ante and ex-durante. Given the covariate nature of COVID-19 and associated control mechanisms, current evidence is short of providing clear causal learning. We provide some potential interesting areas where future efforts can be geared to improve learning on the relationship between COVID-19, food insecurity, and building resilience to shocks.

About the author

Rukundo, Emmanuel Nshakira

Development Economics