Programme / Thematic session IV/g Challenges of Urbanization: Food Security in Africa

African cities have some of the greatest rates of population growth worldwide. According to the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects, the 1.1 billion people in Africa will double in number by 2050, with metropolitan areas seeing 80% of this development, with many living in informal settlements.  Numerous issues will arise as a result of this degree of expansion, including urban overcrowding, growing poverty and decaying infrastructure. Most importantly the decline in rural population affects communities’ capacity to provide for urban populations' basic food demands and nutritional requirements. Due to the aforementioned issues, it is necessary to discuss a new perspective on food security, one that emphasizes its availability, accessibility, utilization, stability, agency, and sustainability. This will enable it to make contributions to sustainable development at the local, national, regional, and international levels. This session presents a series of four talks and panel discussions on how urbanization influences food security in Africa. The presentation illustrates the current global challenges facing urbanization and stimulates discussion on the displacement crisis and climate change impact on food security. In addition, the discussion should move beyond highlighting the challenges of urbanization on food security, but also consider strategies to accommodate urbanization while ensuring food security.