A framework for researching African food systems

Julian May¹Frans Swanepoel²Claire Helen Quinn^3*Melody Mentz-Coetzee²Elizabeth Mkandawire²Andrew John Dougill⁴

• ¹Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
• ²African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
• ³Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, England, United Kingdom
• ⁴Department of Environment and Geography, Faculty of Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom

The structure and functioning of current African food systems, together with unfavourable terms of trade and climate change impacts, pose significant challenges to achieving sustainability and more equitable outcomes. A contextually grounded evidence base is essential to identify feasible and resilient transformation pathways. Global food systems research has focused on industrialised food systems, with less attention given to Africa and to other differently structured systems. A framework for food systems analysis in Africa is needed to guide analysis and promote transformation while ensuring equitable opportunities for vulnerable communities amidst diverse cultural contexts. The Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa) project developed a tailored analytical framework aimed at enabling holistic African food systems analysis. A co-production, iterative approach that built on existing models, the research of twenty early career scholars, and feedback from African scholars culminated in the development of the FSNet-Africa Food Systems Framework presented here. The process has demonstrated the effectiveness of a co-creation approach in developing applicable conceptual models for African food systems research. The Framework describes, from the lens of African food systems, a set of food systems drivers, the food system itself, and food system outcomes. Applications of the framework in research, teaching and policy spheres has demonstrated its wide relevance and applicability to addressing complex issues across the African food system.