Insights for food systems transformation from southern Africa

This report by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) provides an overview of the food systems context in southern Africa, focusing on the pivotal events of 2021. It details the drivers necessitating food systems transformation—such as climate change, urbanisation, and malnutrition—and summarizes the outcomes of major international summits (UNFSS, AGRF, COP26) and regional initiatives led by the Southern African Resilience Academy (SARA) to build climate-resilient and sustainable food systems.

• Food systems are a primary driver of global environmental degradation, contributing to 70% of water extraction from nature and up to one-third of human-linked greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, food production is the largest contributor to deforestation, desertification, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss, threatening approximately 24,000 of 28,000 species at risk of extinction.
• Southern African food systems are highly vulnerable to climate change and population growth, with a heavy reliance on predictable rainfall. Projections indicate that Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) will become critically water stressed in 25-50 years, with 230 million people (16% of the projected population) living in water scarce areas and 460 million (32%) in water stressed areas.
• Several 'megatrends' and systemic challenges are driving the need for transformation in southern Africa. Urbanisation is expected to affect food systems for the next 25 years, potentially increasing food insecurity and malnutrition (including obesity and stunting). Stunting rates are over 30% in 11 of the 16 SADC member countries, and approximately one-third of all food produced is lost in the supply chain.
• The 2021 AGRF Summit in Nairobi focused on unlocking financial and political commitments for African food systems. The African Development Bank committed to mobilising US$1 billion over two years and up to US$10 billion by 2030 from various donors. Priority pathways identified include improving cold chains to reduce food loss, increasing renewable energy access, and making rural employment more attractive to youth, who make up nearly 60% of Africa's population under 25.
• The UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) 2021 established five action tracks to create a roadmap for affordable, accessible, and nature-positive food production. For southern Africa, key outcomes include the need to localise food systems to reduce dependence on long supply chains, ensure food prices reflect environmental degradation costs, and provide insurance and social protection for small-scale producers.
• While food systems were not a primary focus of the COP26 agenda, the Glasgow Climate Pact recognized the importance of food, land, and nature, emphasizing the restoration of ecosystems and sustainable supply chains. The Koronivia joint work on agriculture continues to seek a way to address agriculture through a climate change lens within the UNFCCC process.

APA

Chesterman, S., Hamann, M., & Norström, A. (2022). Insights for food systems transformation from southern Africa. Global Resilience Partnership. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/insights-for-food-systems-transformation_overview.pdf

Chicago

Chesterman, Sabrina, Maike Hamann, and Albert Norström. Insights for food systems transformation from southern Africa. Global Resilience Partnership, 2022. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/insights-for-food-systems-transformation_overview.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chesterman |first1=Sabrina |last2=Hamann |first2=Maike |last3=Norström |first3=Albert |title=Insights for food systems transformation from southern Africa |publisher=Global Resilience Partnership |date=August 2022 |url=https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/insights-for-food-systems-transformation_overview.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chesterman2022insights, author = {Chesterman, Sabrina and Hamann, Maike and Norström, Albert}, title = {{Insights for food systems transformation from southern Africa}}, institution = {Global Resilience Partnership}, year = {2022}, month = aug, url = {https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/insights-for-food-systems-transformation_overview.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }