Assessing the role of population growth in the climate change impacts on food security in Africa

This study investigates the nexus between climate change, demographic growth, and food security in African countries. Using panel data covering the period 2006–2022 and applying robust econometric techniques including fixed effects, moderation analysis, as well as the system generalized method of moments (GMMs). Our findings reveal that climate change significantly hinders food security, while demographic growth amplifies this vulnerability in Africa. The methodological innovation lies in treating demographic growth as a moderating variable rather than a simple control factor, thereby highlighting its structural role in conditioning climate impacts. Results show that climate and demographic pressures interact to jointly shape food insecurity, underscoring the need for integrated policies that strengthen climate adaptation, manage demographic transitions, and reorient economic levers toward sustainable agriculture and resilience.