Africa: Feeding the rising urban population

Africa: Feeding the rising urban population

More than half the world’s population already lives in cities and the urban population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2030.

According to a report by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), 600 million people in Africa will be living in 24 of the 30 fastest-growing cities by that time.

More than half of all residents in African cities currently live in overcrowded slums – many of whom survive on less than $2 a day.

The situation presents an enormous challenge to governments across the continent.

“African policymakers need to steer urbanisation from its current non-sustainable path towards healthier cities that ensure food and nutrition security, decent work and income, and a clean environment for all their citizens,” says the FAO’s Modibo Traore.

He says the production and supply of food is rarely considered when designing and managing cities.

“The perception has been that because food is available and can easily be bought in supermarkets or along the streets, that food will always be there,” says Alexander Muller, of the Food for the Cities initiative.

“But when prices peaked in 2007-2008, and more than 20 countries faced food price-related riots, this perception began to change,” he adds.

Furthermore, it is acknowledged that the consumption of processed foods, combined with sedentary lifestyles, increases the risk of heart diseases, diabetes and certain forms of cancer.