Food shortage: Nigeria, other African countries receive N5.5trn food grants from World Bank

…Set aside $30bn relief package, $12bn worth projects to help countries cope with food insecurity

Olaseinde Gbenga, Abuja

The World Bank has disbursed at least N5.5 trillion ($12 billion) almost half of which was to Africa, to help beneficiary countries cope with food shortages.

In a new report titled “Food Security Update, the World Bank Response to Rising Food Insecurity,” the bank noted that domestic food prices remained high all over the world, especially in low and middle-income countries.

According to the bank, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, trade-related policies imposed by countries have surged, and the global food crisis has been partially made worse by the growing number of food trade restrictions put in place by countries with a goal of increasing domestic supply and reducing prices.

The bank also said a $30 billion relief package, spread over a period of 15 months, including $12 billion in new projects, will be rolled out to help counties cope with food insecurity.

According to the report, up to 205 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity and to be in need of urgent assistance in 45 countries.

The report read partly, “The most recent Food Price Monitoring and Analysis Bulletin released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation revealed mixed trends for international cereal prices in January 2023.

“World wheat prices fell in January for a third consecutive month; international coarse grain prices remained mostly unchanged; and international rice prices rose at an accelerated pace in January 2023.”