<b>Effects of Climate Change and Agricultural Productivity on Food Security in Africa: New Insights from Panel Data Analysis</b>

In recent times, economies in Africa have made intensive efforts to mitigate the worsening climatic conditions, boost agricultural output, and improve access to safe and nutritious food; however, this has not yielded much. This study investigates the effects of climate change and agricultural productivity on food security in Africa and the moderating role of institutional quality in these dynamic relationships. Using the System Generalised Method of Moments (SGMM) estimation technique and panel data for 36 African economies covering a period of twenty years (2001-2020). The study found a significant positive relationship between climate change and food insecurity. Also, the study found that as agricultural productivity improves, food availability, access, and utilisation improve too, thereby improving food security in Africa. Furthermore, it also found a good causal relationship among the variables of interest. Interestingly, the study's findings indicate a mixed effect of institutional quality in moderating the effects of climate change and agricultural productivity on food security in Africa. This has been attributed to the prevalence of weak institutions in Africa and its inability to effectively exploit its infrastructure potentials to the fullest. The study recommends, among others, that African leaders and policymakers should develop and effectively implement sustainable climate change adaptation strategies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, food security, and poverty outcomes, while also strengthening their weak institutions.