Europäischer Rechnungshof - European Court of Auditors
(Press release) EU fight against hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa lacks clear focus
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- EU actions did not consistently target the regions or communities most in need
- Projects were not always tailored to realities and challenges on the ground
- Too little attention was given to results and sustainability
The European Union has contributed billions to fighting hunger and malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa, but a new report by the European Court of Auditors finds that much of the aid missed the people most in need and struggled to deliver lasting results.
Fighting hunger is a core objective of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the European Union has committed to supporting this mission. The EU plays a leading role in the global response, supporting food assistance, nutrition, food security, and the development of sustainable food systems. This engagement is backed by substantial funding: between 2014 and 2020, the EU signed contracts worth €17 billion for hunger relief initiatives worldwide, followed by a further €6.2 billion from 2021 to 2024. Nearly half of this funding – over €11 billion – went to Sub-Saharan Africa.
This financial commitment has made the EU one of the largest global donors in the fight against hunger, helping to mobilise international responses and provide a safety net for millions of people in situations of food insecurity.
In 2024, 295 million people across 53 countries worldwide faced high levels of acute food insecurity, with 13.7 million more people needing urgent assistance than in 2023. Acute malnutrition among women and children also worsened, leaving over 37.7 million children under five acutely malnourished. The same is true for most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the situation has not significantly improved over time, with persistent food insecurity, malnutrition and other underlying issues, the auditors found.
“At the current rate of progress, by 2030 millions of people will still be undernourished, millions of children will still be affected by malnutrition in its different forms, and the sustainable development goal of ‘zero hunger’ will remain a long way off being achieved”, said Bettina Jakobsen, the ECA Member in charge of the audit. “EU aid for Sub-Saharan Africa must have a clearer focus on the regions most affected, and it must take greater account of local conditions.”
The audit found that the Commission lacked clear, documented methodology for prioritising the regions and communities most in need, thereby limiting the effectiveness of its interventions. Weaknesses in project design, insufficient monitoring, and difficulties tackling the root causes of food insecurity further undermined the long-term impact of EU support.
While EU actions have been aligned with partner countries’ policies and contributed to some progress being made, major challenges – such as climate change, conflicts, and economic instability – continue to hinder efforts to reduce malnutrition and food insecurity. These external factors, which go far beyond the scope of EU action alone, remain significant obstacles to lasting progress.
The auditors call on the Commission to strengthen its approach to fighting hunger and food insecurity by targeting support more effectively and applying clear prioritisation criteria. They also recommend improving project design, reinforcing the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, enhancing monitoring and reporting, and increasing project sustainability to ensure a lasting impact.
Background information
Hunger remains one of the most pressing global challenges, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Conflicts, climate change, and economic crises continue to exacerbate food insecurity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where vulnerable communities face the harshest consequences. The auditors assessed EU-funded projects in Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia, carried out desk reviews for Chad, Niger and South Sudan, and interviewed relevant stakeholders. They also analysed documents covering all of Sub-Saharan Africa.
It has been over a decade since the last performance audit in this area, with special report 01/2012, “Effectiveness of EU development aid for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa”. This new audit provides a timely opportunity to evaluate progress since then, and offer insights to guide future EU actions. It will also help the planning of the next multiannual financial framework, ensuring that European efforts remain effective and responsive to the evolving humanitarian landscape.
Special report 20/2025, “Commission support to fight hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa”, is available on the ECA website, together with a one-page overview of its key facts and findings.
Contact:
ECA press office: press@eca.europa.eu