West Africa is deeply embedded in the global food economy. It supplies raw ingredients for some of the world’s most profitable consumer products, yet at home millions struggle to secure a basic diet.
The contradiction is no longer anecdotal. The 2025 Global Hunger Index places 10 of West Africa’s 16 countries in the “serious hunger” category, with scores between 20.0 and 34.9. Niger records 33.9 and Nigeria 32.8, placing Africa’s most populous economy among the worst performers.
This index is not a short-term price gauge. It combines unde
