MECS programme’s Post

Unveiling the Complexities of Food Security in Africa Our latest Journal ASAP issue presents an exploration of Africa's food security challenges and potential solutions. Paper 1: "Better Soils for Resilient Agricultural Production" by Elaheh Daghighi, Vincent Ayugi, Elika Daghighi M, Azadeh Farajpour Javazmi , Kevin Z. Mganga, Tobias Orthen, Ph.D. - Learn how soil degradation is hindering Africa's agricultural productivity. - Discover the "betterSoil for a better world" concept, a holistic approach to restoring soil health. - Explore the four key principles for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. Paper 2: "The Synergy of Food Sovereignty and the Politics of Malnutrition in Tanzania: What Works, Why and How?" by Edwin Ngowi, Respikius Martin - Understand the interconnectedness of food sovereignty and malnutrition. - Explore successful food sovereignty projects in Tanzania and their impact on communities. - Discover how empowering communities can lead to improved nutrition and food security. Paper 3: "The Influencing of Consumer Aspirations on Food Choice, Sourcing and Consumption Among Low-Income Households of eThekwini Municipality: A Pilot Study" by Chuma Banji Chinzila, Sibongile Buthelezi, Duduzile Khumalo, Catherine Sutherland - Investigate the factors driving unhealthy food choices in low-income households. - Explore the impact of consumer aspirations on food systems and nutrition. - Discover the need for policy changes to promote healthy and sustainable food consumption. Join the conversation and help shape a more food-secure Africa. https://lnkd.in/eBAvTu7n #FoodSecurity #Africa #Agriculture #Nutrition #SustainableDevelopment #JournalASAP #EndHunger #Policy #ConsumerChoices

Actionable Strategies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Food Security Consortium, Inc. FSC is a PanAfrican Economic Freedom Think Tank, that is spearheading solutions to Perennial food insecurity in Africa starting with Kenya. The goals of the organization are Advocacy, Lobbying and Empowerment for the War on Food Insecurity and Poverty in Africa. The Food Security Consortium is headquartered in the U.S. with a legal entity in Kenya. FSC is partnering with the University of Nairobi under a formal MOU. The partnership has access to land, intellectual property, and human capital in Nairobi. These resources will form the foundation to launch efforts in the region. Actionable Strategies will provide global strategy, financing, and project implementation expertise. The parties seek to demonstrate improved practices in food value chains that lead to food security, improved yields, efficient water usage, and cleaner energy consumption. The longer-term objective is to propagate these improved and sustainable practices throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Actionable Strategies will initially develop a Strategy Briefing for use by executive leadership. This material will also be used in identifying and securing funding sources for the broader initiatives. #africa #foodsecurity #strategy #projectfinance #water #cleanenergy

"To achieve the Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy and the Electric Cooking Strategy, we are working closely with the National Treasury to allocate more funds for clean cooking. Previously, it was challenging to secure funding without these strategies and plans, but now that they are in place, we are also partnering with development organizations to raise funds for these initiatives. We are collaborating with various ministries, including Health, Environment, Industry, and Trade, through an interministerial committee that brings different ministries together to discuss their contributions to clean cooking efforts. In terms of awareness creation, we are using the BCC (Behavior Change Communication) strategy, designing messages that promote clean cooking, and actively lobbying for people to adopt these solutions. On a regional level, we are engaging counties to ensure they understand their roles in advancing clean cooking. So far, about 20 counties are either finalizing or developing their County Energy Plans (CEPs). Our message to them is clear: don’t create these plans only to leave them on the shelf. It is their responsibility to seek funding and implement clean cooking projects."- Dr. Faith Wandera-Odongo , Ministry of Energy of Kenya

I had the pleasure of moderating a session “Crafting Food System Investment Pathways: Learning from Leading Countries” at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 in Kigali. We showcased lessons and experiences from Malawi, Ghana, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, while providing a platform for dialogue among policymakers, private sector, civil society, among others. The central question was “What are the key challenges in aligning national food systems policies with the post-Malabo Agenda, and how can these be addressed effectively?” Fundamentally, the transition requires addressing economic constraints, policy contradictions, inconsistencies and trade-offs across the diverse policy areas relevant to food systems transformation. Transformation will require strengthening of the 3 dimensions of policy coherence (horizontal, temporal, vertical). However, ensuring coherence across different sectoral policies and strategies can be a daunting task, requiring significant analytical, institutional and resource capacities for policymakers. #AFSForum2024

While attending the Advancing Food Security in Nairobi City (AFSN) workshop, I came on board solely to document the event... photos, key quotes, content for social, etc.. however five minutes in, I realized I was in completely new territory! The list of vocabulary and technical jargon left me feeling a little out of place. Not a bad thing, because this meant I had a lot to learn about the intricacies of food security and the role informal settlement vendors play. My aha! moment was realizing that even the mama mboga, the njugu seller, and smocha sellers have important roles to play toward advancing food security. These informal vendors provide access to fast- moving food and snack options to communities who often rely on this for their nutrition needs. Did you know a simple meal of chai and andazi can sometimes be the only meal affordable and accesible to communities in the informal settlements? 💥 I look forward to capturing more milestones in the recently launched ''Advancing Food Security in Nairobi County Program'' and learning more about food security in urban informal settlements.

Wednesday, 27th of November 2024, The GGGI MENA Regional Director, Mahamadou Tounkara, moderated an engaging panel at the Global Food Security Summit #GFSS on “Building Resilient Food Systems: Africa’s Path to Food Security” This Discussion featured Nadine Gbossa, Director of Food Systems at the International fund for Agricultural Development and Amath Pathe SENE, Managing Director of Africa’s Food Systems Forum. The Panel aimed to explore strategies for the urgent need of strengthening food security in Africa through resilient and inclusive food systems.   The discussion focused on fostering collaboration, improving access to finance and establishing market-driven partnerships to enhance food security and livelihood. Amath Highlighted the vast opportunities presented by Africa's youthful population and abundant land resources while acknowledging the complex and unique challenges that Africa faces, such as the conflicts, inadequate infrastructure along with being more prone to the damage of climate change. Nadine Emphasized the potential collaborative opportunities in Nigeria, highlighting that it is a model for future initiatives to replicate successful improvement for food security.    The global Green Growth Institute is committed to collaborating with its member countries to advance climate action and sustainable development, supporting national plans and international commitments.     #ClimateAction #GreenGrowth #GGGI

What if Africa could eliminate hunger by redesigning its food systems? This question took center stage at the Africa Food Systems Forum (#AFS2024) in Kigali, Rwanda. With over 5,000 participants from 97 countries, the forum highlighted innovative agricultural strategies to combat Africa's growing food crisis. Leaders, including 37 ministers and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, emphasized the urgent need for collaboration. A key fact: Sierra Leone’s ambitious Feed Salone Flagship program aims to secure $1.8 billion to drive food security and exports. As these discussions conclude, the real work begins. Will Africa act decisively to reshape its food future? Access the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dJrzrc3S ✍🏾 Writeup by Tomi Abe, Adetoro Adetayo 🎨 Illustration by Tomi Abe

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the special issue; Toward Food Security in Africa. Read more on a subject I wrote on (Harnessing the Untapped Potential of Youth Agripreneurship in Creating Employment and Food Security in Africa) here; https://lnkd.in/dt6TWtVe

Food systems transformation in Zimbabwe: Effectiveness of participatory monitoring and evaluation The usefulness of participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) in food systems transformation in Africa remains poorly explored. JOSEPH TINARWO, VAIN JARBANDHAN and AARAM GWIZA explain how PM&E is designed to measure programme effectiveness and is geared towards promoting programme ownership, empowering beneficiaries, enhancing transparency and accountability, and improving the projects and programmes. However, they caution that the effectiveness of PM&E in food system transformation requires adequate budgetary support, rolling capacity-building initiatives, multistakeholder partnerships, policy integration, and indigenous knowledge-sharing and learning practices. By Joseph Tinarwo, Vain D.B Jarbandhan and Aaram Gwiza 📌 Read this article from New Agenda 94: Food systems transformation in Zimbabwe --> https://bit.ly/na94_zim 📚 Read the full publication --> https://lnkd.in/dW9keq36

New Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP): Toward Food Security in Africa We are proud to launch a special issue dedicated to exploring the complex issue of food security in Africa. This issue features research on: * The role of finance and investment in food security * The connection between food systems and international trade * The importance of institutional quality for food and nutrition security This is a valuable resource for #researchers, #policymakers, and anyone working towards a more food-secure Africa. Download the issue here: https://lnkd.in/eBAvTu7n A special thanks to our Guest Editors Jean Mboma S.J., Ph. D. , FLORENCE OPONDO and Anne Gongwe. We're also immensely grateful to the writers that contributed to the journal: Angella Wairimu, Elaheh Daghighi, Vincent Ayugi, Elika Daghighi M,Azadeh Farajpour Javazmi, Kevin Z. Mganga, Tobias Orthen, Ph.D., Edwin Ngowi, Respikius Martin, Dr. Jeremiah Rogito, issa kachenje, Yasuo Ohe, Chuma Banji Chinzila, Sibongile Buthelezi, Duduzile Khumalo, Catherine Sutherland and Kiran Chokshi Want to contribute to the conversation? We're always looking for new perspectives on food security. Learn more about our submission guidelines: https://lnkd.in/eWTrW98i #FoodSecurity #Africa #Sustainability #GlobalDevelopment