With the global urban population projected to reach 70% by 2050, experts are raising concerns about food security in cities, including Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The city, heavily reliant on rural produce and imported industrial food, is grappling with significant challenges such as food waste, malnutrition, and rising health issues like obesity and chronic diseases.
Experts emphasize the need for stronger urban-rural linkages not just for food consumption but also for production. Charles Spillane, a professor at the Agriculture, Food System, and Bioeconomy Research Center at the University of Galway, stressed the importance of research-based policies to promote healthier lifestyles and ensure access to affordable, nutritious foods. “Balancing affordability, food availability, and healthy eating is a complex task,” Spillane noted. He called for a holistic approach that integrates sustainability with health and affordability.
Addis Ababa suffers from significant food waste due to inefficiencies in transportation and reliance on imported goods. Dr. Endale Amare, head of the Food Science and Nutrition Division at EPHI, highlighted the scale of the problem: “Imagine how many people we could feed if we could avoid this food waste.” He called for technological and creative solutions to address supply chain inefficiencies and reduce household food waste caused by insufficient awareness.
These challenges are being tackled through the EcoFood Systems workshops launched in Addis Ababa. Funded by the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the project is led by the University of Galway in collaboration with EPHI. It aims to address urban malnutrition by focusing on neglected consumer groups and identifying priority areas for action.
The initiative also involves Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Rikolto, with support from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Research Institute. The project seeks to create evidence-based solutions for urban malnutrition while promoting sustainable food systems through policy reforms and capacity building for researchers.
Malnutrition remains a pressing issue in Addis Ababa, affecting children’s growth and cognitive development while contributing to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease among adults. These health crises not only harm individuals but also create long-term economic challenges for Ethiopia as a whole.
To combat these issues, Ethiopia is preparing to introduce new regulations targeting unhealthy foods. Dr. Endale highlighted inflation’s impact on food security, noting that only one-third of the global population can afford nutritious diets based on current market values. He encouraged consumers to adopt more sustainable eating habits by purchasing smaller portions of diverse foods rather than bulk quantities of single items.
Despite these challenges, Addis Ababa’s food system presents opportunities for economic growth and resilience. Expanding green spaces within urban areas can enhance climate change adaptability while fostering regional partnerships to reduce external food supply disruptions. Experts believe that addressing inefficiencies in the city’s food system could unlock its potential as a driver of sustainable development.
