Fresh insights from new research shaping Africa’s food systems, resilience, and economic development
Key Insight of the Week
Building resilience is not only a humanitarian objective; it can also generate measurable economic returns. New evidence from Chad shows that integrated resilience programming combining nutrition, food assistance, community training, and livelihood support can improve food security while delivering substantial benefits relative to investment costs.
Featured Report of the Week
Cost–benefit analysis of WFP’s integrated resilience programme in Chad (2018–2023)
By John M. Ulimwengu, Wim Marivoet, Aboubacar Hema, Samuel Benin, Francois Regis Udahemuka, Hagar Ibrahim, Ruth Ngaradoumri, et al.
This study assesses the costs and benefits of the World Food Programme’s Integrated Resilience Programme (IRP) implemented in Chad between 2018 and 2023. The analysis finds that participating households experienced improved food security, with an average 6.6-point increase in Food Consumption Scores, alongside stronger resilience capacities and reduced reliance on negative coping strategies compared with nonparticipants.
The researchers estimate an overall benefit–cost ratio of 3.98, indicating that every US$1 invested generated nearly US$4 in measurable benefits. Among the interventions assessed, treatment of acute malnutrition and preventive nutrition support for women and children produced benefit–cost ratios ranging from 6:1 to 9:1, while training and sensitization activities achieved the highest reported return for resilience outcomes, with a 20:1 benefit–cost ratio.
The study also finds that integrated intervention packages outperformed stand-alone approaches. Combinations such as Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) cash transfers and School Feeding produced larger improvements in food consumption than individual interventions, while short-term food and cash distributions provided essential relief but generated lower long-term returns than other measures evaluated.
Other Recent Publications
Essential commodities prices, availability, and market actors’ perceptions: April 2026 (OA)
By Rakhy, Tarig; Mohamed, Shima; Nigus, Halefom Yigzaw; Suliman, Gotada; Siddig, Khalid
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Evidence for Africa highlights every week recent IFPRI research and insights relevant to the continent’s food systems, economic development, and policy priorities.
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