Welcome Popup disabled (visible only in edit mode)
A woman stands in a maize field in Malawi.

East and Southern Africa 

57%
of the population are children and young people
7 countries
classified as fragile or in conflict
40+
extreme weather events in the last decade
©IFAD/Kondwani Jere

Context

The East and Southern Africa region (ESA) extends from the Red Sea along the coast of Eritrea, through the young state of South Sudan, down to Namibia’s imposing dunes and across the Indian Ocean to the islands of Madagascar and the Seychelles.  

Home to 557.2 million people, the region’s population grew by almost 300 million over the past three decades. It is expected to grow even further to 964 million by 2050.  

Following 20 years of progress, food security has recently worsened due to COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. IFAD works with key stakeholders to ensure rural communities are supported and that we reverse this trend. 

Agriculture is the largest sector in ESA, employing nearly half the population. In recent years, there has been a decline in production triggered by drought and climate change. 

Agricultural growth is insufficient to match population growth and the corresponding demand for food. To address this and to reduce reliance on food imports, agricultural growth must double from current levels to 6-8 per cent annually. Strategic partnerships will be crucial to stimulate this growth and reduce food insecurity. 

Internal conflicts, institutional fragility, debt distress, climate change, displacement and rising inequalities exacerbate the region’s vulnerability.

See the latest updates

Learn More

Strategy

Rural people are at the heart of IFAD’s work to ensure that the world’s most vulnerable communities can lift themselves out of poverty and thrive.  

When designing projects, we select strategies tailored to local circumstances. This is particularly necessary in a region as diverse as ESA. We identify the root causes of issues and provide a combination of solutions for better agricultural production, access to finance and markets, natural resource management and climate adaptation. 

To date, IFAD has invested US$5.4 billion in 22 ESA countries and reaches more than 40 million people every year. In an environment where fragility, debt distress and weather extremes are common, IFAD is diversifying its portfolio to ensure greater impact and lasting results for the people we serve.

Regional cooperation is critical to ensure climate adaptation and mitigation in the region. Our growing climate investments with key partners, such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, aim to channel US$495 million to small-scale producers by the end of 2024. 

ESA also prioritises partnerships with the private sector through Non-Sovereign Operations. For example, Stanbic Bank Uganda's Economic Enterprise Restart Fund enhances access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through savings and credit groups. 

Experts

Sara Mbago-Bhunu

Director, East and Southern Africa Division

[email protected] See bio
Romuald Ngomssi

Regional Communications Officer (ESA & WCA)

[email protected]
Linda Odhiambo

Communication Analyst, East and Southern Africa

[email protected]

Keep exploring