Remittances and Food Security in African Countries

Abstract Over the past decade, the amount of migrant remittances received by developing countries has increased rapidly. Several studies have analysed the impacts on growth, investment, education, and health. However, the effect on food security has not received much attention. This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the linkage between food security and international remittances using panel data during the period of 1990–2013 in African countries. The study employs an econometric model to test the impact of remittances on food security through four channels: availability, access, utilization and stability. Results show a positive link for access, stability and utilization dimensions but a negative link for availability. Relationship between received remittances and the enhancement of food security seems to be mixed.