A decade of fall armyworm invasion in Africa (2016 to 2026): lessons learned, progress in management, and pathways for sustainable control.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly destructive pest native to the Americas that was first detected in Africa in 2016. Nearly a decade later, it continues to pose a significant threat to maize production, a staple crop for millions across the continent. The pest rapidly spread, colonizing most maize-growing regions within 2yr and causing estimated annual yield losses of up to 20 million metric tons, adversely affecting food security, rural livelihoods, and economies. Farmers who rely heavily on pesticides risk the emergence of resistance to synthetic chemicals, escalating treatment costs, and significant health and environmental hazards, emphasizing the unsustainability of this approach as a primary strategy. Over the past decade, research and development programs have broadened the range of management options available, including host plant resistance, biological control, cultural practices, and agroecological innovations such as push-pull systems. This review consolidates a decade of insights into the spread of FAW in Africa, examining its impacts and the adoption of various management practices. It highlights critical challenges such as climate variability that exacerbate impact of the pest and the limited uptake of technology, while also showcasing innovative solutions like genomics, RNA interference, predictive modeling, and cross-border collaborations that are paving the way for sustainable control of the pest. By integrating biological, socio-economic, and policy perspectives, our review offers a comprehensive overview and outlines future directions for sustainable, farmer-centered integrated pest management.