For Immediate Release

Office of Press Relations
press@usaid.gov

Press Release

The below is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Shejal Pulivarti:

Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Mr. Dangote is the CEO of Dangote Group, a Nigerian multinational firm that operates within Africa’s food, fertilizer, and fuel sectors among others, and Chair of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, a leading African philanthropy.

Administrator Power and Mr. Dangote discussed the impact of high-energy costs and the exacerbating effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the fertilizer sector and smallholder farmers, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. They also discussed the alarming impacts of food insecurity in the Sahel and the global food crisis on increasing rates of acute malnutrition in children, known as wasting.

Administrator Power discussed recent contributions of donated and discounted fertilizer by the private sector to address growing food insecurity in the region. The Administrator underscored how USAID is working with these companies to ensure that as much fertilizer as possible reaches the most vulnerable smallholder farmers while not disrupting or undermining markets and the two discussed partnership opportunities to improve food security.

Administrator Power and Mr. Dangote also discussed efforts and opportunities to collaborate to accelerate action on child wasting. This includes the recent announcement of an additional $200 million investment in UNICEF to respond to increased needs for wasting treatment and her challenge to raise additional funds. They discussed the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s longstanding commitments to tackling malnutrition in Nigeria and their potentially joining this initiative.

2022 Global Food Crisis Samantha Power Aliko Dangote Foundation
Share This Page