The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $5.1 billion response plan aimed at helping Nigeria and other African countries withstand rising energy, food and fertiliser costs linked to the ongoing global crisis.
Known as the Global Energy and Fertiliser Crisis Response Framework (GEFCRF), the initiative was approved on September 1, 2026, and is designed to provide immediate financial support to countries facing economic pressure while helping them build stronger defences against future external shocks.
The framework will be backed by an additional $4.1 billion in AfDB lending and up to $960 million from the African Development Fund, bringing the Bank’s 2026 lending target to about $12.7 billion. The intervention will be demand-driven, with funding and policy support tailored to the level of vulnerability in each country.
A major focus of the plan is protecting vulnerable households and essential public spending, particularly support for women and young people. The AfDB also wants to reduce dependence on broad subsidies while encouraging countries to diversify energy, food and fertiliser supply chains, strengthen regional markets and improve their ability to respond to future economic disruptions.
AfDB Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Martin Fregene, said the intervention was necessary as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global trade and put pressure on African farmers. He warned that high fertiliser prices could force farmers to reduce usage, potentially hurting harvests, and said improved access to finance, stronger fertiliser markets and increased local supply would be critical to protecting food production across the continent.
source: The guardian
