• African Food Security Urban Network

AFSUN was established in 2008 as a network of African and international universities, non-governmental and community organizations, and municipal governance networks.   AFSUN aims to improve  the knowledge base on urban food security in Africa; to build African human resource capacity and expertise in food security policy and management; to develop and advocate policy options to improve the environment within which households make decisions about food security; and to grow the capacity of community change agents to plan, implement and evaluate food security projects and programmes.

Food security in Africa is often seen primarily as a rural issue of agriculture and marketing. In the context of rapid urbanization in Africa, AFSUN focuses on the neglected urban dimensions of food security. Our definition of urban food security extends to all aspects of the production, procurement, distribution and consumption of food by individuals and households in African towns and cities. AFSUN also recognizes the critical importance of the global food system and the links between town and countryside in affecting the food security of urban populations in Africa. The global food crisis poses great challenges for the poor in the cities of Africa. Food shortages, rising food prices and inflation all undermine the ability of people to secure an adequate daily supply of affordable, nutritious, hygienic and culturally-appropriate food.