Resource information
Launched on 18 May 2012, the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (NAFSN) is a G8 (now G7) initiative spearheaded by former US President Barack Obama. The New Alliance aims to increase private investment in African agriculture as a means to “achieve sustained and inclusive agricultural growth and raise 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years.” In total, 10 African countries have signed on to the NAFSN. Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, and Tanzania enrolled in the New Alliance in 2012, while Benin, Malawi, Nigeria, and Senegal joined in 2013.
Almost five years have elapsed since the launch of the NAFSN. Studies on its impacts have begun to appear, and researchers are starting to shed light on the New Alliance’s track record. However, very little of this research has been conducted from a Canadian perspective, leading to a lack of analysis of Canada’s role in the NAFSN. This study addresses this gap through an examination of Canada’s involvement in the NAFSN in Senegal and an assessment of the initiative’s results.
In brief, the New Alliance has not so far delivered on its promises, be it significant reforms conducted by the Senegalese government, increased private investment in agriculture, or improved food security and nutrition. Canadian staff has shown a commitment to making the initiative work, but their dedication has not prevented a gradual loss of interest in the NAFSN by its primary stakeholders. Against this background, a fruitful avenue to consider for Canada is to enlarge its existing work with smallholders through agricultural aid programs and to maintain the platform of exchanges created for civil society organizations in the context of the New Alliance.