The role of development finance institutions in addressing food security in fragile economies
Description
Food insecurity remains a critical challenge in fragile and conflict-affected states due to economic and political instability. While private sector involvement is key to addressing this issue, development finance institutions (DFIs) currently invest minimal amounts in the agriculture sectors of fragile contexts.
Organised by the Private Sector Development Research Network and hosted by ODI, this seminar will explore the urgent challenges of food security and economic development in fragile contexts, focusing on private sector solutions. It will examine how DFIs can address food insecurity in the “10+1” countries — Afghanistan, CAR, DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Nigeria — identified by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as at risk of food crises.
Speakers will discuss potential strategies to enhance food security through productivity improvements and direct investments in the food supply chain. They will also discuss the role of DFIs and private sector solutions in overcoming economic challenges and improving food security in vulnerable countries.
The seminar aims to foster discussions on increasing DFI engagement in vulnerable economies to improve food security outcomes.
The research report guiding this seminar can be found here.
Speakers
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Professor Victor Murinde (Chair)
Incoming Executive Director, African Economic Research Consortium (AERC)
AXA Professor in Global Finance and Director, Centre for Global Finance, SOAS University of London -
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Professor Dirk Willem te Velde
@DWteVeldeDirector, International Economic Development Group, Principal Research Fellow, ODI
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