City-Region Food System, Global South And Cooperation Strengthening African Urban Food Systems Through The City-Region Framework

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the application of the City-Region Food Systems (CRFS) concept in the academic literature, particularly in the context of African cities, where food systems’ sustainability was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other less recent persistent crises. Via a Systematic Literature Review, it analyses the City-Region Food Systems (CRFS) approach as a response to urban food system challenges, emphasizing urban-rural linkages and localized supply chains. Findings highlight the necessity of integrating global supply chain dynamics, refining the city-region concept for African contexts, and leveraging CRFS as an administrative unit. Decentralized cooperation emerges as key to boosting CRFS contributions, suggesting a multifaceted approach to building resilient and sustainable food systems in post-pandemic African urban centres.