Foreign capital and food security: role of partnership for the goals in Africa

Purpose The aim of this study is to test the modulating role of partnership for the goals in the foreign capital and food security relationship. Design/methodology/approach The two-step System Generalized Methods of Moment empirical model with linear interaction between foreign capital and partnership for the goals was estimated. This study employed panel data on 48 African countries over 22 years (2000–2022). Findings The study found that the conditional effect of foreign capital on food security is positive. Thus, partnership for the goals acts as a moderator on the relationship between foreign capital and food security in Africa. The study’s principal implication is that partnership for the goals reverses the negative unconditional effect of foreign capital on food security. Research limitations/implications The study recommends strengthening public–private partnerships in the agricultural sector to boost productivity, alongside reforms to external debt arrangements that safeguard funding for food security initiatives and social protection programs. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by investigating the moderating role of Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17) in the relationship between disaggregated foreign capital inflows and sustainable food security in Africa. Furthermore, the findings reveal that SDG 17 partnerships serve as an important catalyst in enhancing the effectiveness of foreign capital in promoting sustainable food security outcomes across the continent.