ABSTRACT
The latest report on the State of African Cities (UN-Habitat, 2010) reveals that many Western African countries are experiencing rapid urbanization. By 2025, major cities such as Accra and Abidjan will increase in size by more than 50 percent compared to 2010. Access to formal, salaried employment is difficult in rapidly growing urban contexts. Therefore, street food vending has become a viable self-employment option. It also represents an affordable source of food. Despite its economic, nutritional, and cultural significance, the widespread informality of this sector and its precarious food safety and hygienic conditions undermine its development. This prompted the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to conduct an assessment in four Western African capitals. Results revealed that regulatory frameworks exist at national and local levels. Appropriate institutional arrangements (i.e. clear institutional roles and responsibilities), however, still need to be properly designed and supported with adequate budget allocation for enforcement actions. A formal recognition of the crucial role of street food vending in achieving urban food and nutrition security would catalyze harmonized broad spectrum interventions and ultimately improve the food eaten daily by millions of people in these cities.
