This issue of BBC’s “Focus on Africa” looks at how the conflict in the Middle East is affecting the supply of fertilizer on the African continent. Oliver Kirui, a Research Fellow and Acting Country Program Leader for Nigeria and Ghana at the International Food Policy Research Institute, highlights what this means for food security in Africa.
“Africa imports more than 80% of fertilizer,” Kirui noted, saying that the situation is very worrying and that fertilizer shocks could translate into higher food prices within a few months.
Kirui noted that while countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco have some domestic fertilizer production capacity due to natural gas reserves, “45-plus countries” across Africa remain completely dependent on imports and are therefore at high risk. Fragile and conflict-affected states—particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel—face “double challenges” due to weak infrastructure and existing food insecurity.
Highlighting the dual need for urgent response and long-term resilience, Kirui said: “The priority for us today is to support farmers while building our own resilient food systems for the future.” He emphasized short‑term measures such as targeted input support and more efficient distribution, alongside medium‑ and long‑term investments in regional fertilizer markets, domestic production, and improved soil health to reduce dependence on external suppliers.
Listen to the episode (The Middle East topic starts at 13:20, with Kirui’s comments at 16:15)