## Food Security in WAEMU: Current Challenges and a Way Forward

_Selected Issues Papers, June 6, 2025_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Food Security in WAEMU: Current Challenges and a Way Forward](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/06/06/food-security-in-waemu-current-challenges-and-a-way-forward-567504)

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Ljubica Dordevic, Ollo Sib
- Published: June 6, 2025
- Series: Selected Issues Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229012522.018

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### Summary and Key Findings
- Food insecurity in WAEMU has worsened over the last few years.
- Main drivers identified: conflicts, climate, and affordability issues.
- The Sahel zone is in a particularly difficult situation.
- The region is highly vulnerable to climate change and dependent on food imports.
- If left unaddressed, food insecurity could have a lasting adverse impact on economic growth and development.
- Durable solutions require solidarity and well-targeted, coordinated efforts by national and regional authorities in collaboration with partners.

### Drivers and Context
- Conflicts: contribute to displacement and reduced food access.
- Climate: high vulnerability to climate change affects agricultural productivity and food availability.
- Affordability: food affordability issues and food inflation constrain household access to food.
- Trade and dependence: dependence on food imports exposes the region to international market shocks.
- Security environment: described as complex, exacerbating vulnerabilities in the Sahel zone.

### Impacts and Risks
- Potential lasting adverse impact on economic growth and development if food insecurity is not addressed.
- Nutrition and humanitarian consequences implied by deterioration in food security and affordability.
- Regional implications given WAEMU’s dependence on imports and the concentrated difficulties in the Sahel zone.

### Policy Directions and Recommendations
- Emphasize solidarity among countries within WAEMU and with external partners.
- Implement well-targeted and coordinated efforts by national and regional authorities.
- Collaborate with partners to design and deploy durable responses to food insecurity.
- Focus areas suggested by subject keywords: Crisis Prevention, Economic Resilience, Food Systems, Humanitarian Response, Nutrition, Regional Cooperation, Sustainable Agriculture, and addressing Trade barriers.

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/06/06/food-security-in-waemu-current-challenges-and-a-way-forward-567504_