The countries of Central Africa facing Covid-19

A group of women who manage a market garden area on the outskirts of the city of Kinshasa in the DRC. RFI / Sayouba Traoré

By: Sayouba Traoré

More generally, in Central Africa, agro-pastoral production fails to ensure food security for the populations. International studies therefore predict that food imports should double by 2050. And it is in this context that the Covid-19 pandemic and the barrier measures decreed by the various governments come into play.

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27% of the population of the 11 member countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are facing food insecurity, and undernourishment and malnutrition, which affects nearly 43 million people in Central Africa. This situation is explained by the low productivity and the low level of infrastructure. As scientists like to measure things, there is a rate of global acute malnutrition which exceeds 20%, in Central Africa, knowing that a rate of 15% is considered as a level of crisis or emergency situation.

Market garden areas on the outskirts of the city of Kinshasa in the DRC. RFI / Sayouba Traoré

So there are problems during agricultural production; little or no processing of the products, therefore problems for conservation; and problems with marketing. And this is where the coronavirus comes in. It is hardly surprising to learn that many countries in the Central African region fear hunger riots, following numerous disruptions in the supply chains caused by measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Market garden areas on the outskirts of the city of Kinshasa in the DRC. RFI / Sayouba Traoré

Guests:
-  Mireille Moguena , head of the Africa pole of the StartEMH design office, which works in the 6 CEMAC countries
-  Josué Madjitoloum , president of the Board of Directors of the National Employers' Organization of Chad.

Production: Sayouba Traoré
Production: Ewa Piedel

Market garden areas on the outskirts of the city of Kinshasa in the DRC. RFI / Sayouba Traoré

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  • Coronavirus
  • Agriculture and Fisheries

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