Global Food Policy Report 2021: Food system transformation and the impact of COVID-19 on African economies

BY SOKHNA SALL SECK

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on public health, economic growth, and livelihoods in Africa—though these have thus far been less severe compared to other regions. A May 10 virtual Africa discussion of IFPRI’s Global Food Policy report explored these effects. IFPRI researchers, along with and experts from government and regional partners, presented the report’s key findings and proposed solutions for improving the post-pandemic resilience of the economies of African countries.

”On health and nutrition, the pandemic has created a lot of inequality and weakness in our food systems, and it reminds us of the vulnerability of poor people. I know, we are further off track to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030,” IFPRI Director for Africa Jemimah Njuki said in her opening remarks.