Afrifoodlinks Consortium Meeting in Cape Town. African and European cities collaborate to transform urban food systems
From 25 to 29 November 2024, representatives from 28 AfriFoodlinks partners organisations, government leaders, researchers, and youth ambassadors from 20 African and European cities gathered in Cape Town for the Afrifoodlinks Consortium Meeting, in a concerted effort to advancing sustainable food solutions across the African Continent.
Throughout the week, participants engage in workshops, presentations and site visits around Cape Town, exploring the city’s diverse food landscape. This exchange highlightedthe collaborative spirit of AfriFOODlinks, which seeks to build strong, trust-based relationships across African cities.
Key themes included food governance, African-led research, health and nutrition in cities, school feeding programs, and financing mechanisms for change. This collaborative environment allowed stakeholders to reflect on their roles in building resilient and equitable urban food systems.
“This is the chance to assert the scientific sovereignty of Africa.”
“Our consortium is doing very well in championing the role of urban agriculture, markets, and school nutrition programs. Other dimensions that are coming out strongly from the project include the broader role of economic growth in urban development, the creation of better and fairer livelihoods, the distribution of wealth and the issue of equality and inequality in African cities socio-economic challenges, and bridging inequalities to improve community livelihoods”.
Youth and Intergenerational Dialogue at AfriFOODlinks
For the first time, AfriFOODlinks’ 20 youth ambassadors participated in the consortium meeting, contributing their perspectives and strengthening a youth-driven network around food. A key moment was an intergenerational panel, where youth and city officials co-developed a statement for a shared vision on sustainable food systems. Mayor Maxmillian Iranqhe of Arusha emphasized the importance of youth voices in shaping Africa’s future, given that Africa’s population is so young, noting that AfriFOODlinks provides a platform to elevate their ideas.
Looking ahead
Over the next two years, AfriFOODlinks will implement more than 20 urban food system interventions across African cities, piloting innovative, research-driven approaches tailored to local contexts. The project will also support the growth of a network of youth leaders, and incubate 250 food entrepreneurs, fostering a new generation dedicated to sustainable food solutions.
AfriFOODlinks is a four-year initiative funded by the European Union and coordinated by ICLEI Africa. Uniting 28 partners across Africa and Europe, the project champions bold transformations in urban food systems in more than 65 cities. By fostering inclusive, multi-actor governance, AfriFOODlinks equips public officials with the tools to shape resilient food systems through knowledge-sharing and locally tailored solutions. The project accelerates the growth of innovative, women- and youth-led agri-food businesses and has launched a youth ambassador programme that connects young leaders with city decision-makers—creating a collaborative path toward nourishing, sustainable urban food systems.
