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

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  • Martin Paul Jr. Tabe-Ojong
  • Emmanuel Nshakira-Rukundo
  • Bisrat Haile Gebrekidan

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Paul Jr. Tabe-Ojong & Emmanuel Nshakira-Rukundo & Bisrat Haile Gebrekidan, 2023. "COVID-19 and food insecurity in Africa: A review of the emerging empirical evidence," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 50(3), pages 853-878.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:erevae:v:50:y:2023:i:3:p:853-878.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/erae/jbad008
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    2. Lotanna E. Emediegwu, 2024. "Assessing the Asymmetric Effect of Global Climate Anomalies on Food Prices: Evidence from Local Prices," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 87(10), pages 2743-2772, October.
    3. Mariusz Hamulczuk & Karolina Pawlak & Daniel Sumner & Grzegorz Szafrański, 2024. "Did the COVID-19 pandemic disturb intra-EU trade in agrifood products? Evidence from a counterfactual forecasting approach," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(11), pages 556-564.
    4. Akim, Al-Mouksit & Ayivodji, Firmin & Kouton, Jeffrey, 2024. "Food security and the COVID-19 employment shock in Nigeria: Any ex-ante mitigating effects of past remittances?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).

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