The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has raised an alarm that approximately 47 million people in West Africa could face a food crisis between June and August 2025 unless urgent measures are taken to address the region’s worsening food security situation.
Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, disclosed this during the third meeting of the Management Committee of the Regional Food Security Reserve (RFSR) held in Abuja on Tuesday. Speaking through Mr. Mohammed Zongo, Acting Executive Director of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food, Toure-Litse stressed the need to strengthen immediate response mechanisms and build sustainable resilience.
“Analyses conducted in December 2024 using the Harmonized Framework revealed that nearly 34.7 million people currently require immediate food and nutrition assistance,” Toure-Litse said. “If appropriate measures are not taken, this figure could rise to 47 million during the lean season from June to August 2025.”
She noted that food and nutrition security in West Africa and the Sahel has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with global acute malnutrition rates in some areas ranging between 10% and 14%. Multiple challenges — including geopolitical instability, ongoing conflicts, economic crises, and climate change — have compounded the situation, making it essential to strengthen the region’s food security strategies.
Nigeria’s Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, echoed these concerns, warning that the food security situation in West Africa has worsened due to economic instability, conflicts, and climate change. Represented by Mr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Kyari emphasized the need to reinforce the region’s food reserve strategy to address the crisis effectively.
“This meeting is happening at a particularly critical time,” Kyari said. “The food reserve has become a key pillar of our collective strategy to respond to food and nutrition crises. Strengthening agricultural production, strategic food storage, and market stability is essential.”
Established in 2013 by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, the Regional Food Security Reserve supports ECOWAS member states, Chad, and Mauritania in managing food crises. The reserve currently holds over 74,000 tons of food stored across the region for rapid deployment when needed.
Toure-Litse highlighted that the RFSR has made significant progress but requires adjustments to respond effectively to emerging challenges. “Our goal is to reinforce regional solidarity and strengthen food sovereignty through transparent mechanisms that support populations in crisis,” she said.
The meeting aims to review the operations of the reserve since March 2023 and outline strategies for 2025 to improve food security and nutrition across the region.
