A forthcoming special report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) will assess how the European Union has supported efforts to combat hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. The report, scheduled for publication by the end of 2025, will review whether EU initiatives have been effectively targeted and aligned with urgent needs in the region.
Since 2014, the EU has invested approximately €11 billion in hunger relief efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. This is part of a broader commitment that saw contracts worth €17 billion concluded worldwide between 2014 and 2020 for hunger relief initiatives, with an additional €6.2 billion committed from 2021 to 2024. Nearly half of this support was directed to sub-Saharan Africa.
EU action on hunger includes humanitarian assistance coordinated by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), as well as development cooperation managed by the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). The EU, together with its member states, remains the largest provider of development aid globally.
The ECA’s audit draws on field visits to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia; desk reviews covering Chad, Niger, and South Sudan; and analysis across other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the ECA, “Hunger is not only a matter of access to food, but also of survival, dignity, and stability. Today, it remains one of the most pressing global challenges, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide.”
The upcoming report aims to provide insights into developments since the last audit conducted in 2012 and help guide future EU strategies. As stated by the ECA: “Our upcoming special report, ‘Commission support to fight hunger in sub-Saharan Africa’, to be published by the end of 2025, comes at a critical moment.” The findings are expected to inform planning for future financial frameworks and ensure continued effectiveness in addressing food insecurity.
The full report will be available on the ECA website upon publication.