INTRODUCTION

The level of food insecurity in Africa has become alarming, with up to 149 million people being categorised as acutely food insecure in 2023, in comparison to 61 million in 2019, an increase of 150 percent (5). This crisis is mainly due to conflict; 122 million people live in conflict areas, which is 82% of the total affected population (5). According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), there are about 282 million undernourished people in Africa in 2022, which is 20 percent of the population, with an increase of 57 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic (16). Additionally, 60% of Africans faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022, underscoring the urgent need for integrated programmes to tackle this complex issue (39). Figures 1 and 2 illustrate these trends and highlight regional disparities. Table 1 also explains the African countries with the largest populations facing food insecurity.

Africa’s continued struggle with food insecurity hinders its progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating hunger and malnutrition by 2030 (16).

Source: (5).

Food insecurity remains a major issue across Africa, with different economic, social, and environmental drivers (31). (31) made a valuable research contribution to the existing literature on food insecurity in Africa without elucidating the indicators employed to measure food security in the region. This gap can be expanded for future studies in order to develop a framework to overcome this methodological limitation.

Building on this, (7) contributed further to (31) article to give more specifics about food insecurity in Africa. According to their research, it shows that since the previous survey in the African households in 2019, food inflation has risen by more than 20% implying very few households can afford sufficient meal substitutes. While (7) provide an important baseline on present-day food insecurity, the research would be further enhanced by a detailed literature review analysis to show the extent of food inflation on food security.

According to (6), who used the research conducted by (7) to establish a basic understanding of food insecurity, it is the lack of ability to obtain adequate healthy food for everyday. Nonetheless, the research does not clearly state what should be considered a healthy meal. (12) also warns that food insecurity has severe impacts on people’s health and may even lead to a shorter lifespan, which makes it crucial to find viable strategies to tackle the problem all over Africa. Apart from the health concerns mentioned by (12), Adedokun (3) outlines some causes of food insecurity in Africa, including: Climate change, Conflict, and Drought. Although these factors provide a starting point from which to conceptualise and design approaches to managing the risks associated with food insecurity, there may be other, perhaps overlooked, variables that could also play a role in this phenomenon.

In furtherance of the pursuit of the second United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), different African authorities have developed policies that address food insecurity. Though these reforms were interrupted by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic (25). While (25) recognises these governmental attempts, the study does not elaborate on the different policies undertaken to eliminate food insecurity. In his own words, (25) finds that ‘African governments have not effectively addressed the issue of food insecurity despite these efforts, thereby implying that biotechnology can complement the efforts of increasing food production and food security’ (26).

According to (10), biotechnology is a technology that utilises biological systems to produce products that have a positive impact on human life. Although this study provides an overview of the benefits of biotechnology, it fails to explain how biotechnology can help to enhance food security.

To this end, (24) show that biotechnology can increase yield, maintain nutritional quality, and optimise the quality of raw materials. These findings show that biotechnology can help in decreasing food insecurity. However, (24) do not explain the kind of techniques used to which makes it difficult to compare the efficiency of biotechnology in addressing food insecurity.

For more detailed information on the Biotechnological techniques that assist in avoiding food scarcities, the reader can refer to (8). More specifically, the techniques pinpointed in the study include genetically modified foods, biofortification, marker-assisted selection, and plant cloning. Such crops as genetically modified foods could help in overcoming the deficiency of food in Africa, since these crops are immune to pests and herbicides and are able to stand extreme weather conditions. Thirdly, biofortification increases levels of essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin A in crops so that resource-poor families do not suffer from malnutrition (38). Another of the biotechnological advances applied by agricultural companies is marker-assisted selection, which aims to select plants with specific characteristics that enhance the quality and diversification of food crops (Henkar, 2020). Last but not least, plant cloning makes it possible to grow crops with desirable qualities because plants with such qualities are grown from a single plant (24). It should be noted that although the studies mentioned above reveal important information about the role of biotechnological methods in the production of food products, no study presents a synthesis of recent studies about the impact of these techniques on the improvement of food security in Africa.

Africa continues to grapple with food insecurity due to climate change, conflicts, and economic issues, which have all contributed to contribute in the rise in food inflation and less access to healthy foods. However, the problem is still relevant, and the government’s action plan has been made even more difficult by the COVID-19 pandemic. Genetic engineering, biofortification, and plant tissue culture present potential solutions to these problems in that they can increase yields, nutritional quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Such thinking has informed the researcher’s focus on examining the current application of improved food practices employing biotechnology to boost food security in Africa. The present research aims to identify the existing biotechnological approaches aimed at tackling food insecurity in Africa. It will also assess the feasibility of realising the benefits of these techniques and identify the factors that are likely to hinder the effectiveness of the techniques.

METHODOLOGY

Research Methodology

Research Design

This research descriptive survey research design to establish the various biotechnological techniques, which include marker-assisted selection, plant cloning, bio-fortification, and genetic engineering, to address food insecurity in Africa. In this manner, the benefits of each method, its application in various agricultural settings, and disadvantages were discussed in a systematic manner. The articles mainly employed in the literature review were from the last decade (2014-2024) in a bid to capture the current trends in biotechnology and food security in Africa. The study of this method is to provide practical recommendations for policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders regarding food insecurity (36).

Research Philosophy

This research adopts the epistemology of interpretivism since this approach is concerned with understanding the contextual effects of Biotechnological interventions in African Agriculture.

Search Strategy

A systematic approach with the help of academic databases was used to search for the studies in order to acquire a methodologically sound and broad literature review. These databases (JSTOR, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar) were used in the study due to the fact that they host so many scholarly articles, reports, and literature in the biotechnology and food security domain (21).

Search Results Overview

A systematic approach was used to document and estimate the number of articles found in each of the databases. Specific Boolean operators and specific keywords, including ‘Marker-assisted selection’, ‘plant cloning’, ‘biofortification’, ‘genetic modification’, and ‘food security in Africa’, were also used to make the search more specific, as depicted in the following Table 2.1 below.

Data Analysis and Synthesis

Analysis Techniques

This research mainly employed thematic analysis to categorise data collected from the selected literature based on the emerging themes in the area of biotechnology and food security in Africa (13). Thematic analysis was preferred because the study was able to sort a large amount of information into manageable and easily analysable themes

Synthesis of Findings

There was the integration of findings in relation to the thematic patterns that were identified. For instance, papers on biofortification as a nutritional intervention in the management of malnutrition were placed under objective three, and works on the possibilities and challenges of plant cloning and genetic engineering were placed under objective four, with sub-themes that address the objective. This approach facilitated the integration process that provided an organised outlook of the advantages, possibilities, and potential results of different biotechnological interferences to food security (37).

Analytical Framework

The analysis was done with reference to the diffusion of innovations theory (15), which is about the diffusion of innovations in societies. This framework was useful in providing a picture of how biotechnological interventions are taken socially, politically, and infrastructurally in Africa. In addition, the use of the sustainable development theory was done to understand where these technologies belong within Africa’s food security, environmental, and sustainable socio-economic development agenda (33).

Ethical Considerations

Since this study only embraced secondary research, the ethical issues centred on the need to exercise professionalism and cite authors appropriately. The critique of studies was conducted, and all the interpretation that were done was documented in detail to ensure that there is no trace of plagiarism. In order to maintain the validity and reliability of the study, transparency and ethical practices in conducting the literature review were emphasised (36).

As depicted in figure 3 above, the systematic review process began with an initial search across multiple academic databases, including JSTOR, SCOPUS, PubMed, and Google Scholar, which yielded a total of 120 records. During the preliminary phase, duplicate records (n = 30) were removed, and automation tools identified 25 records as ineligible. An additional 29 records were excluded for reasons such as not fitting the scope of the research, leaving 36 records available for screening. This careful filtration ensured that only relevant studies proceeded to the next phase.

Out of the 36 records screened, 6 were excluded based on title and abstract relevance. The remaining 30 reports were sought for full-text retrieval, although 2 could not be accessed. Thus, 28 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 6 were excluded due to factors such as irrelevance to the research question (3 studies), poor methodological quality (2 studies), and inadequate data or reporting (3 studies). Ultimately, 20 studies met the stringent inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. This process ensured that only high-quality, pertinent research informed the findings of the study

 The characteristics of the included studies in the synthesis are shown in table 5 above

3.2 Synthesis of Results

Objective 1: Current Level of Food Insecurity in Various African Regions

Overview and Contributing Factors

Food insecurity remains a significant and persistent challenge throughout Africa, influenced by conflict, economic vulnerability, climate change, and limited resources. Recent research highlights the unique impacts on youth and communities affected by these crises. In countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, young people engaged in agriculture are disproportionately affected, with low dietary diversity and inadequate food consumption scores noted as key indicators of nutritional challenges (2). Extension services, market information, and poverty reduction initiatives can enhance food security for this group, but credit emergencies and the economic effects of COVID-19 have increased the risks, especially for young women.

Conflict-Driven Food Insecurity

Conflict plays a big role in making food insecurity reach its worst level, especially in countries such as South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, and Ethiopia. The Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (5) reveals that South Sudan has the highest levels of acute food insecurity, with 71.1% of the population. Further, violence continues to undermine agricultural production and market access and leads to the displacement of people. The same problems are observed in Sudan and DRC, where more than 20 million people in each country are suffering from severe food insecurity.

The economic and climatic factors

Other areas of the world that are not affected by conflict also suffer from food deficits due to economic and climate shocks. In Malawi, 21.6 percent of the population, 4.4 million people, suffer from food insecurity mainly because of economic decline and poor governance. Similar trends are evident in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where a good proportion of the population is still experiencing food insecurity. Such climatic events as those that befell Mozambique show how natural conditions can worsen the food crisis in areas that are not affected by conflict.

Regional Disparities and Key Findings

Food insecurity is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), affecting millions of people, especially young farmers and women. Violence affects food production and distribution, and because of socio-economic factors, youth and women are more vulnerable (2). Increased availability of extension services, market information, and programmes such as ENABLE TAAT is crucial for increasing resilience and food security in the African regions.

Objective 2: Impacts of Food Insecurity on Health and Socio-Economic Sectors Across Africa

Consequences of Food Insecurity

Malnutrition and undernutrition

Food insecurity continues to cause malnutrition, having a major impact on food security, especially on children. For instance, (27) highlighted that stunting prevalence in East Gojjam was more than 37% and that of West Gojjam was 38% in Ethiopia. In the same way, (29) established that food insecurity in households in Kenya increased the likelihood of child stunting by 12–22% and that the inequalities in wealth also compounded these results.

Infant and Under Five Mortality and Life Expectancy

Hunger and malnutrition are known to be associated with increased infant mortality and reduced life span. (12) noted that in 31 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, undernutrition has been on the rise while life expectancy has decreased and the infant mortality rate has increased as well.

Long Term Diseases and Birth outcomes

Food insecurity in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic further deteriorated the health status of the population. According to (32), the rate of poor health increased by 15% among the households that experienced hunger on a daily basis. Moreover, (19) concluded that increased food insecurity leads to low birth weight and stunting in newborns because of the mother’s poor nutrition.

Socio-Economic Consequences

Poverty and Economic Disparity

Food insecurity prolongs poverty because it hinders cognitive and physical growth, according to (29). According to (32), these problems destabilise local economies and raise the cost of health care, perpetuating poverty.

Labour Productivity and Economic Consequences

This paper also shows that malnutrition affects labour productivity and hampers the process of economic growth. Undernutrition weakens the human force and the brain, which slows human capital formation and prevents economic progress in countries such as Kenya.

Healthcare Expenditure

These costs of malnutrition and related illnesses burden families and communities with high healthcare costs. As pointed out by (12) and (18), this burden slows down economic development and the efficiency of the workforce.

Objective 3: Biotechnology Techniques to Enhance Food Security Across Africa

Key Techniques and Applications

Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS)

MAS increases the rate of plant breeding of crops with desirable characteristics, including resistance to drought and high productivity. MAS in West African maize, as described by (1), has led to drought and Striga resistance, hence increasing yield stability. Olasanmi et al. (2021) explain it in cassava breeding for cassava mosaic disease (CMD) resistance, and the demonstration of the faster generation of improved varieties.

Biofortification
Biofortification enriches staple crops with essential nutrients to combat “hidden hunger.” (35) and (14) reported that promoting orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) enriched with vitamin A improved children’s nutrient intake. (23) advocated for incorporating biofortified crops into government nutrition programs to address vitamin A deficiencies effectively.

Genetic Modification (GM)

GM crops, such as Bt maize, enhance yields and reduce labour, benefiting women farmers particularly. (30) and (17) documented how Bt maize reduced pesticide use and increased productivity, despite challenges like seed access.

Plant Cloning

Cloning technology supports the rapid multiplication of disease-resistant plants. (28) noted that tissue cultured bananas in Uganda yielded higher outputs and economic benefits, although initial costs remain a barrier for smallholders.

Objective 4: Benefits of Adopting Biotechnology Techniques for Food Security in Africa

Enhanced Yields and Food Supply

Biotechnologies like GM crops have demonstrated significant yield increases. (22) reported that Bt maize and cotton supported productivity and sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa, directly addressing hunger. Farmers in Ghana and Nigeria consider GM crops as positive for increasing yields and quality of staple crops such as cassava and yams, according to (4).

Nutritional Improvement

Biofortification efforts, such as those involving OFSP, significantly improve micronutrient intake, particularly vitamin A (35). Enhanced iron and zinc levels in biofortified beans and maize contribute to better health outcomes. According to (23), OFSP contributes to the improvement of the nutrition and income status of smallholder farmers in rural South Africa.

Environmental and Economic Resilience

MAS and GM techniques foster crop resistance to drought and pests, which is essential for climate-affected areas (1). Lower pesticide costs and higher productivity improve the economic stability of farmers (17).

Economic Empowerment

According to (17), Bt and herbicide-tolerant maize save labour and especially weeding so that women farmers can engage in other activities to generate income. Biotechnology adoption can lead to greater economic stability. Tissue culture and genetic modification (GM) technologies cut labour demands and enable farmers, especially women, to engage in other income-generating activities (28).

Objective 5: Socio-Economic, Political, and Cultural Challenges Affecting Biotechnology Adoption in Africa

Socio-Economic Barriers

Resource and Technology Access

The major challenge affecting the uptake of biotechnology is high costs and a lack of access to resources. Lack of finances and poor extension services are some of the challenges that can be observed through the use of tissue culture banana in Uganda, as stated by (28).

Risk and Uncertainty

Volatility in economic returns is a discouragement to farmers. According to (28), Ugandan farmers have been reluctant to embrace tissue culture bananas because of fluctuating yields.  According to (9), perceived risk is a determinant of trust in the adoption of biotechnology.

Political Barriers

Regulatory Hurdles

High regulatory measures prevent the use of GM crops. (22) noted that these are the factors that limit seed distribution and investment.

International Trade Pressures

Market factors such as market acceptance, which is a concern in regions such as Europe that have banned the importation of GM produce, affect policy-making in countries such as Kenya (9). (11) have identified political considerations as important in support of perceiving farmers as conventional or innovative.

Cultural Challenges

Traditional Perceptions

The cultural beliefs are the primary cause of scepticism towards genetically modified foods. According to (11), when communities consider GMOs as unnatural, they are less willing to embrace them.

Community Engagement

Sharing of information is only possible when the community has confidence in the process. Educating farmers and creating social networks are the key ways to popularise biotechnology (9).

These complex problems call for favourable policies, finance, and culturally appropriate strategies to spur the use of biotechnology in Africa’s agriculture.

Discussion of Findings

Food Insecurity Levels in African Regions

The study finds that food insecurity remains severe in Africa, particularly in conflict-affected and economically fragile regions such as South Sudan, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa, where millions of children suffer from malnutrition and stunting due to droughts, floods, and instability. Even non-conflict countries like Malawi and Mozambique face food insecurity caused by poverty, weak infrastructure, and climate change, with agricultural productivity projected to decline sharply by 2050. Women and youths are the most vulnerable, as they lack access to land, resources, and education, making them more exposed to hunger and malnutrition. Overall, food insecurity in Africa stems from interconnected political, economic, and environmental factors, and addressing it requires integrated solutions such as climate-smart agriculture, community-based food systems, conflict resolution, and equitable resource distribution.

Health and Socio-Economic Impacts of Food Insecurity

The study confirms that food insecurity severely affects health, productivity, and economic stability by increasing malnutrition, chronic diseases, and infant mortality, particularly among low-income groups. It worsens maternal and child health outcomes, leading to higher rates of low birth weight and stunting, which in turn limit future productivity. Economically, food insecurity perpetuates poverty, reduces efficiency, and raises healthcare costs, thereby weakening national economies. Poor nutrition diminishes human capital, lowers earnings, and reduces GDP potential, while addressing malnutrition can yield a high economic return. Globally, malnutrition-related productivity losses and healthcare expenses cost trillions annually, reinforcing that tackling food insecurity is both a social imperative and an economic necessity.

Benefits of Biotechnology for Food Security

The study demonstrates that biotechnology enhances food security in Africa by improving crop yields, nutritional quality, and resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stress. Genetically modified and biofortified crops, such as Bt maize and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, have been shown to boost productivity, profitability, and micronutrient intake, reducing vitamin A deficiency by up to 30%. Biotechnology also offers eco-friendly and climate-resilient solutions that stabilize farmers’ incomes under adverse conditions. However, adoption is hindered by socio-cultural resistance, poor infrastructure, and limited access, requiring stronger investment in education, policy, and supportive systems. Overall, biotechnology can transform Africa’s food systems when integrated with broader agricultural and economic strategies.

Challenges in Adopting Biotechnology in African Agriculture

The study identifies numerous barriers hindering biotechnology adoption in African agriculture, including socio-economic, political, cultural, and infrastructural challenges. High costs, limited access to improved technologies, inadequate extension services, and poor training prevent smallholders from adopting biotechnology. Politically, lengthy approval processes, restrictive regulations, and public skepticism often influenced by anti-GMO groups discourage investment and legislation, as seen in countries like Zimbabwe and Nigeria. Trade-related issues also arise because dependence on European markets, which reject GM products, deters countries like Ghana from adopting biotech solutions. Cultural resistance, fueled by misinformation and global anti-GMO campaigns, further limits acceptance, though awareness programs in Ethiopia and South Africa show progress. Weak infrastructure, poor seed distribution, and unclear regulatory frameworks, particularly in countries like Uganda and Nigeria, compound the problem. Overall, biotechnology holds strong potential to enhance food security in Africa, but effective policies, community engagement, and improved infrastructure are essential for widespread adoption.

Exploring the cost-effectiveness or feasibility of biotechnology techniques in different contexts

Biotechnology has rapidly advanced and become vital in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental management due to its cost-effective and high-impact benefits. In agriculture, it boosts crop yields, reduces pesticide use, and raises farmer income despite high initial investment costs. In healthcare, gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 offer promising cures for genetic diseases, with long-term cost savings and improved patient quality of life. Environmental biotechnology, such as bioremediation, provides cheaper and eco-friendly solutions for pollution control compared to mechanical or chemical methods. However, its application varies across regions due to regulatory, economic, and public perception differences, with developed nations benefiting more from strong research systems. For developing countries, infrastructure and funding limitations persist, but global collaborations help bridge the gap, making biotechnology both feasible and cost-efficient when effectively supported.

Conclusion

The study revealed that food insecurity remains severe in Africa, particularly in conflict-prone and economically unstable regions, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups like women and youths. It recommends focusing on conflict resolution, economic empowerment, and inclusive social protection systems aimed at improving access to sustainable food sources.

Findings from Objective Two showed that food insecurity leads to severe health and socio-economic problems such as malnutrition, stunting, and reduced productivity, which perpetuate poverty cycles. The study recommends integrating nutrition-sensitive policies, expanding maternal health services, and promoting dietary diversity and nutrition education.

Objective Three confirmed that biotechnology plays a vital role in combating food insecurity in Africa by improving crop yields, nutrition, and resistance to environmental stress. It emphasizes collaboration between public and private sectors, alongside scaling up farmer education, seed network consolidation, and supportive policy frameworks.

The research found that socio-economic, political, and cultural barriers, such as high costs, legal restrictions, and public skepticism, limit biotechnology adoption in Africa. It suggests simplifying approval processes, improving public awareness, and enhancing infrastructure through international funding to boost biotechnology use.

Overall, the research provides a framework for understanding the root causes of food insecurity and effective interventions in Africa. Its findings can guide policymakers in formulating sustainable strategies that promote food security, resilience, and economic development across the continent.

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