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War means no food in Africa - 1st April 2022

Across Africa, food’s now very expensive. Most of the wheat for Africa’s bread comes from Ukraine and Russia. Now, Russia's fighting Ukraine. This is making food prices high.

Most African countries usually get fuel from Russia. But many countries stopped doing business with Russia. This is making energy prices go up.

It’s a problem for Nigerian businesses. Nigeria doesn’t have enough electricity. Businesses have to make their own power. They use diesel, but it’s now expensive.

Baker Julius Adewale sees prices increasing.

Julius Adewale: "Cost of production, it has increased immensely. So, they have to come together and also increase the price of bread by 40 percent to what it was before. A common man, that has not even eaten, you no expect him to buy bread or a loaf of bread for 700."

In Uganda, the situation’s bad too. One week’s food usually costs 5,000 shillings. Now, it’s 10,000 shillings.

Nigeria has oil. But it doesn’t make much petrol or diesel. Government money keeps petrol prices low, but not diesel. This makes food transportation expensive.

Samuel Salau says the cost is now double.

Samuel Salau: "At the beginning of the year, diesel sell for, I think, about 270 to 280. Then, at a time, we having like 310. But at presently, within a month, it's left that level to about 600 and something plus. And so many industry is on diesel. Trucks that bring here food, so from the north to the south, are running on diesel. Even train runs on diesel."

This situation’s bad for food prices. In Ethiopia, 20 million people didn't have enough food before the war. Now, this will increase.