IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jgeogr/v5y2025i2p23-d1669444.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Progress of the Malabo Declaration as a Regional Agenda Towards Addressing Hunger in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Chibuzor Charles Ubah

    (United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), 8000 Bruges, Belgium
    Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Nidhi Nagabhatla

    (United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), 8000 Bruges, Belgium
    Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium
    The School of Earth, Environment & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada)

Abstract

The Malabo Declaration commits African Union member states to eliminating hunger by 2025. Progress toward this target has been uneven and poorly understood. While some countries have recorded gains in non-hunger thematic areas such as finance, trade, resilience to climate variability, and governance and accountability mechanisms, the extent to which these improvements contribute to hunger reduction remains unclear. This study investigates whether performance in non-hunger areas, as measured through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Biennial Review C-scores, is statistically associated with outcomes under Commitment 3, which focuses on hunger reduction. We used random effects panel regression model covering 55 African countries from 2017 to 2023, the analysis identifies five significant predictors: agricultural GDP and poverty reduction (PC 4.1), foreign private investment (PC 2.3), multi stakeholder coordination (PC 1.2), inclusive public–private partnerships (PC 4.2), and trade policies (PC 5.2). Investment in resilience (PC 6.2) and capacity for planning and monitoring (PC 7.1) showed marginal associations. Our findings suggest that institutional presence alone does not drive hunger outcomes. We reflect that what matters is the structure, inclusiveness, and functionality of these mechanisms, including whether investments reach food-insecure populations, coordination platforms influence decisions, and policies adapt to local conditions. This study concludes that some high-performing categories fail to deliver tangible hunger reduction benefits when implementation is fragmented or disconnected from context. These findings challenge how progress is currently measured and interpreted at the regional level. Finally, we reiterate that as the region prepares for the post-2025 agenda, future strategies must directly link agricultural transformation to hunger reduction through targeted interventions and accountable institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Chibuzor Charles Ubah & Nidhi Nagabhatla, 2025. "Progress of the Malabo Declaration as a Regional Agenda Towards Addressing Hunger in Africa," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgeogr:v:5:y:2025:i:2:p:23-:d:1669444
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7086/5/2/23/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7086/5/2/23/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ngoma, Hambulo & Hamududu, Byman & Hangoma, Peter & Samboko, Paul & Hichaambwa, Munguzwe & Kabaghe, Chance, 2019. "Irrigation Development for Climate Resilience in Zambia: The Known Knowns and Known Unknowns," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 303048, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    2. W. Neil Adger & Katrina Brown & Donald R. Nelson & Fikret Berkes & Hallie Eakin & Carl Folke & Kathleen Galvin & Lance Gunderson & Marisa Goulden & Karen O'Brien & Jack Ruitenbeek & Emma L. Tompkins, 2011. "Resilience implications of policy responses to climate change," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(5), pages 757-766, September.
    3. Hermans, Frans & Sartas, Murat & van Schagen, Boudy & van Asten, Piet & Schut, Marc, 2017. "Social network analysis of multi-stakeholder platforms in agricultural research for development: Opportunities and constraints for innovation and scaling," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21.
    4. Fanzo, Jessica & Haddad, Lawrence & Schneider, Kate R. & Béné, Christophe & Covic, Namukolo M. & Guarin, Alejandro & Herforth, Anna W. & Herrero, Mario & Sumaila, U. Rashid & Aburto, Nancy J. & Amuyun, 2021. "Viewpoint: Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    5. Olajumoke R. Ogunniyi & Funso Abiodun Okunlola & Michael A. Alatise, 2021. "Intra-Africa Agricultural Trade And Hunger Reduction: Africa Economic Analysis," Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy, Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, vol. 8(3), pages 36-52.
    6. Longo, Robert & Sekkat, Khalid, 2004. "Economic Obstacles to Expanding Intra-African Trade," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(8), pages 1309-1321, August.
    7. Lentz, E.C. & Michelson, H. & Baylis, K. & Zhou, Y., 2019. "A data-driven approach improves food insecurity crisis prediction," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 399-409.
    8. Jonathan Kydd & Andrew Dorward & Jamie Morrison & Georg Cadisch, 2004. "Agricultural development and pro-poor economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa: potential and policy," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1), pages 37-57.
    9. Devendra Paudel & Ram Chandra Neupane & Sailesh Sigdel & Pradip Poudel & Aditya R. Khanal, 2023. "COVID-19 Pandemic, Climate Change, and Conflicts on Agriculture: A Trio of Challenges to Global Food Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, May.
    10. Aklesso Y. G. Egbendewe & Boris Odilon Kounagbè Lokonon & Calvin Atewemba & Naga Coulibaly, 2017. "Can intra-regional food trade increase food availability in the context of global climatic change in West Africa?," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 145(1), pages 101-116, November.
    11. Abdulazeez Hudu Wudil & Muhammad Usman & Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka & Ladislav Pilař & Mortala Boye, 2022. "Reversing Years for Global Food Security: A Review of the Food Security Situation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-22, November.
    12. Sunday B. Akpan & Samuel J. Udoka & Inimfon V. Patrick, 2015. "Roles of Macroeconomic Variables on Agricultural Diversification in Nigeria," American Journal of Economics and Business Administration, Science Publications, vol. 7(2), pages 77-93, July.
    13. repec:fpr:afsdcs:169385 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Alisa Ableeva & Guzel Salimova & Rasul Gusmanov & Tatyana Lubova & Oleg Efimov & Almira Farrahetdinova, 2019. "The Role of Agriculture in the Formation of Macroeconomic Indicators of National Economy," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 15(4), pages 183-193.
    15. Dorosh, Paul & Thurlow, James, 2018. "Beyond Agriculture Versus Non-Agriculture: Decomposing Sectoral Growth–Poverty Linkages in Five African Countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 440-451.
    16. John M. Staatz & Victoire C. D'Agostino & Shelly Sundberg, 1990. "Measuring Food Security in Africa: Conceptual, Empirical, and Policy Issues," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 72(5), pages 1311-1317.
    17. Chris Ackello-Ogutu, 2011. "Managing Food Security Implications of Food Price Shocks in Africa," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 20(suppl_1), pages -141, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Blazquez-Soriano, Amparo & Ramos-Sandoval, Rosmery, 2022. "Information transfer as a tool to improve the resilience of farmers against the effects of climate change: The case of the Peruvian National Agrarian Innovation System," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    2. Doukoure Charle Fe, 2021. "Trade flows between the West African Economic and Monetary Union's members so little: does exports structure matter ?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(2), pages 816-833.
    3. Backer, David & Billing, Trey, 2024. "Forecasting the prevalence of child acute malnutrition using environmental and conflict conditions as leading indicators," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    4. Laurent Didier, 2017. "South-South Trade and Geographical Diversification of Intra-SSA Trade: Evidence from BRICs," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 29(2), pages 139-154, June.
    5. Zuzana Brixiova & Qingwei Meng & Mthuli Ncube, 2015. "Can Intra-Regional Trade Act as a Global Shock Absorber in Africa?," World Economics, World Economics, 1 Ivory Square, Plantation Wharf, London, United Kingdom, SW11 3UE, vol. 16(3), pages 141-162, July.
    6. Behar, Alberto & Edwards, Lawrence, 2011. "How integrated is SADC ? trends in intra-regional and extra-regional trade flows and policy," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5625, The World Bank.
    7. Mekuria, M. & Moletsane, N. P., 1996. "Initial Findings Of Rural Household Food Security In Selected Districts Of The Northern Province," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 35(4), December.
    8. Glover, Steven & Jones, Sam, 2019. "Can commercial farming promote rural dynamism in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Mozambique," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 110-121.
    9. Thi Hanh Vu, 2013. "International Export Flows of Vietnam :A Gravity Model Approach," Brussels Economic Review, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles, vol. 56(1), pages 83-108.
    10. Mthuli Ncube & Zuzana Brixiova & Meng Qingwei, 2014. "Working Paper 198 - Can Intra-Regional Trade Act as a Global Shock Absorber in Africa?," Working Paper Series 2104, African Development Bank.
    11. Enid Katungi & Endeshaw Habte & Paul Aseete & Jean Claude Rubyogo, 2024. "Does Adopting the Bean Technology Bundle Enhance Food Security and Resilience for Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-30, December.
    12. Mutambatsere, Emelly, 2006. "Trade Policy Reforms in the Cereals Sector of the SADC Region: Implications on Food Security," Working Papers 127055, Cornell University, Department of Applied Economics and Management.
    13. João Loureiro & Evaldo Baptista, 2021. "A single currency for the Economic Community of West Africa? An economic assessment," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 89(4), pages 608-634, December.
    14. Nomfundo Sibiya & Mikateko Sithole & Lindelani Mudau & Mulala Danny Simatele, 2022. "Empowering the Voiceless: Securing the Participation of Marginalised Groups in Climate Change Governance in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    15. Resce, Giuliano & Vaquero-Piñeiro, Cristina, 2022. "Predicting agri-food quality across space: A Machine Learning model for the acknowledgment of Geographical Indications," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    16. Nicola Ansell & Elsbeth Robson & Flora Hajdu & Lorraine van Blerk & Lucy Chipeta, 2009. "The new variant famine hypothesis," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 9(3), pages 187-207, July.
    17. Claudio Candia Campano & Medardo Aguirre Gonz�lez & Lilliam Ant�n L�pez & Javier Beltr�n Valdebenito, 2018. "A gravity model of trade for Nicaraguan agricultural exports," Revista Cuadernos de Economia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, FCE, CID, vol. 37(74), pages 391-428.
    18. Henrik Haller & Anna-Sara Fagerholm & Peter Carlsson & Wilhelm Skoglund & Paul van den Brink & Itai Danielski & Kristina Brink & Murat Mirata & Oskar Englund, 2022. "Towards a Resilient and Resource-Efficient Local Food System Based on Industrial Symbiosis in Härnösand: A Swedish Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    19. repec:plo:pone00:0223044 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. Hanh Vu Thi, 2015. "Essays on the Export Performance of Vietnam/Essais sur la Performance à l'Exportation du Vietnam," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/216765, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    21. Jensen, Hans Grinsted & Sandrey, Ron, 2015. "African agricultural trade: Recent and the future," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 10(2), pages 1-12.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jgeogr:v:5:y:2025:i:2:p:23-:d:1669444. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.