The African Development Bank (AfDB) revealed today in a report that Africa's agricultural trade deficit will worsen in 2022, surpassing the 2015 level of 36 billion euros.

The report also points out that the number of people suffering from hunger or malnutrition rose to 256 million last year.

The document presented today highlighted Africa's inability to produce enough to feed itself, stressing that in 2021, the continent's agricultural trade deficit had been 36.3 billion dollars, but worsened last year, reaching 38.7 billion dollars, returning to the level of 2015.

"Africa is struggling to develop its agricultural production and keep up with population growth, making the continent a net importer of food and exposing it to food insecurity, a situation made worse in 2022 by the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine.

The report was presented during the annual meetings of the AfDB Group, the most important event of the institution that brings together 54 African and 27 non-African member states, which are taking place until Friday in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.