How African mass food markets use moments of truths to redefine roles People who blame middlemen for messing up the market have no idea about the role playing by   different market actors to keep the market functioning smoothly. It is when the market is in action that one can see the extent to which the Read more about How African mass food markets use moments of truths to redefine roles[…]

How revisiting the meaning of data can add value to African content The advent of digital solutions has brought confusion to the meaning of the word data. This continues to undermine indigenous knowledge systems and African intellectual heritage in several ways.  Academics and researchers have always viewed data as a subset of information that can Read more about How revisiting the meaning of data can add value to African content[…]

Preserving indigenous African food systems through reconstructive writing Scholars and thought leaders in the Global South are realizing that the best way of reversing the damage caused by colonialism on African food systems and intellectual heritage is not just to continue lamenting. Aggressive efforts should be directed at reconstructing and reappropriating African food systems including Read more about Preserving indigenous African food systems through reconstructive writing[…]

One of the legacies of colonialism in many African countries is the notion of coloniality. This refers to long-standing patterns of power that emerged as a result of colonialism and which continue to define culture, labour, inter-subjective relations, knowledge production and food systems. Coloniality is maintained alive in books, in the criteria for academic performance, Read more about How African mass food markets decolonize and moderate the cost of living[…]

7 critical uncertainties that affect African farmers and food systems While volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) has become a major characteristic of all economies across the globe, the situation is worse for African farmers and food systems.  In agriculture-driven African economies, some of the enduring uncertainties include the following: 1. Price uncertainties – whether Read more about 7 critical uncertainties that affect African farmers and food systems[…]

African mass markets provide better solutions to opportunity costs If there were no mass markets, most African farmers would not be able to benefit from the seasonal nature of most production practices. Smallholder grain producers often ask themselves questions like: Which is better earning USD240 from a ton of oil seeds in the mass markets Read more about African mass markets provide better solutions to opportunity costs[…]

Indigenous food can liberate African countries from the foreign currency trap Over-dependency on foreign currency is a new form of colonization that is preventing African countries from developing their own agriculture and food systems. For instance, countries like Zimbabwe are producing commodities using foreign currency to sell those commodities for earning foreign currency, used for Read more about Indigenous food can liberate African countries from the foreign currency trap[…]

Contrary to formal markets that are mostly about transactions, African mass food markets are not just about pushing commodities to consumers but education. Many urban consumers would not know how to prepare some indigenous vegetables and wild potatoes if mass markets did not exist. Dominant in almost every African city, mass food markets are centres Read more about African mass markets are not just about pushing commodities but educating consumers and farmers[…]

Food systems are broader than value chains – thanks to African mass markets While there is a tendency for policy makers to conflate food systems with value chains, mass food markets reveal how food systems are broader than value chains. That distinction is very important in clarifying and creating pathways for decolonizing food systems. Putting Read more about Food systems are broader than value chains – thanks to African mass markets[…]

Periodic surveys like crop and livestock assessments have become a common feature in most African agriculture-driven economies. These surveys are often conducted during and after the planting season. While surveys like vulnerability assessments are important, in a changing climate characterized by mid-season droughts and disruptions in market supplies, periodic surveys should be supplemented with continuous Read more about Beyond traditional surveys – the value of continuous listening to the market[…]