UN Warns of Escalating Hunger Crisis in Africa as Global Malnutrition Declines

By iNewsAfrica Staff Writer | Published: July 29, 2025

United Nations— While the world celebrates a modest decline in global hunger, the United Nations has issued a stark warning: Africa is facing a worsening food crisis, with over 280 million people across the continent now suffering from chronic undernourishment.

According to the newly released State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report, hunger levels globally have dipped for the third consecutive year—thanks to improvements in South America and Southern Asia. Yet, the African continent stands out for all the wrong reasons: more than 20% of its population remains chronically hungry, and nearly two-thirds are unable to afford a healthy diet.

“UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning during the African Union’s Global Food Systems Summit, held in Ethiopia. Speaking via video, Guterres cautioned that food must never be used “as a weapon of war,” as he joined other leaders in calling for urgent action to address the continent’s deepening food crisis.”

The report attributes the deepening food insecurity in Africa to a convergence of armed conflicts, economic instability, climate shocks, and rising debt burdens. From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, millions are displaced, agricultural systems are failing, and inflation continues to erode household purchasing power.

Alarmingly, the data suggests that by 2030, Africa could be home to nearly 60% of the world’s chronically hungry if urgent measures aren’t taken.

A Wake-Up Call to Global Leaders

The UN agencies—including FAO, WHO, WFP, IFAD, and UNICEF—are calling for a comprehensive response:

• Scaling up climate-smart agriculture

• Strengthening food safety nets

• Empowering smallholder farmers

• Providing conflict-sensitive humanitarian aid

The report paints a sobering picture, warning that Sustainable Development Goal 2—Zero Hunger—is now dangerously out of reach, particularly for Africa.

“Progress in other regions is welcome, but we cannot call this success when a continent as vast and vital as Africa is moving in the opposite direction,” the report concludes.

📊 Africa Hunger Snapshot (2024)

• Chronic Undernourishment: 307 million+

• Population Unable to Afford Healthy Diet: 1+ billion

• Food Insecurity Prevalence: >50%

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