The City Region Food System (CRFS) project in Lusaka, Zambia, marked the beginning of a journey towards more sustainable and resilient food system, catalyzing developments in food policy and governance and laying the foundations for further interventions. While this legacy demonstrates the power of collaborative planning, there is a continuing need for political support, resources, and long-term initiatives.   

Lusaka, Zambia’s largest city, was selected as a pilot city in the first phase of the CRFS programme in 2014. The city region includes Lusaka and seven surrounding districts (Chongwe, Chibombo, Chilanga, Chisamba, Mumbwa, Shibuyunji, and Kafue), where approximately 60% of the food consumed in Lusaka is produced.  

Rapid urbanisation has led to significant challenges for the city region food system. Urban development is leading to the fragmentation of agricultural land and increasing pressure on natural resources, such as water and forests. The city's infrastructure struggles to keep pace with population growth, leading to inadequate food storage and processing facilities, and distribution challenges. Significant food losses occur post-harvest, especially for perishable crops, due to poor transportation and storage infrastructure.  

Food insecurity and malnutrition are widespread among Lusaka's urban poor. Since January 2024, Zambia has been grappling with the worst drought in two decades, severely impacting agriculture and worsening food insecurity. 

In light of these diverse ongoing challenges, coordinated efforts and comprehensive planning are needed to support a resilient and sustainable food system for Lusaka's growing population. 

Key activities and developments 

The CRFS programme aims to strengthen the linkages between urban centres and their surrounding rural areas, ensuring that food production, processing, distribution, and consumption benefit both urban and rural populations.  

One of the most significant developments since the onset of the CRFS project was the establishment of the Lusaka Food Policy Council (LFPC) in 2020, through a partnership between the Lusaka City Council (LCC) and the Consumer Unity and Trust Society (as part of the Dutch-funded Hivos-led Sustainable Diets for All project). Aiming to create and implement guidelines to manage Lusaka's food system, the LFPC is made up of representatives from local authorities, city departments, City Council, business and NGOs. Priorities include enhancing market infrastructure, promoting food safety, and engaging more stakeholders in decision-making processes.  

Another major development has been the integration of food systems into the Comprehensive Regional Development Plan for Greater Lusaka in 2021. The plan aims to guide sustainable urban development and emphasises improving food security, and the resilience and sustainability of food systems. Lusaka's participation in the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021 further highlighted the city's commitment to improving its food systems. 

Subsequent food systems projects 

As the local leadership is committed to building healthier and more sustainable food systems,Mayor Chilanda Chitangala has endorsed food security initiatives. As such, the CRFS pilot has been followed by additional support from other organisations.  

Hivos and the University of Zambia, through the EU-funded HealthyFoodAfrica programme, support two food labs in Chongwe (organic vegetable smallholder farmers) and Lusaka (informal vendors), and improve market storage. Other initiatives include a pilot project launched by ICLEI and the City of Lusaka to reduce food waste in fresh food chains, creating a supportive environment for fresh food markets, enhancing infrastructure and fostering better market practices.  

Lusaka is also part of the AfriFOODlinks project. This EU-funded project, led by ICLEI Africa and coordinated in Lusaka by Hivos, focuses on transforming urban food systems to enhance food security and urban sustainability – in particular through supporting women and youth-led agri-food businesses, fostering inclusive multi-actor governance, and facilitating knowledge-exchanges with other African cities.  

Through its Voices for Just Climate Action and the Urban Futures programmes, Hivos supports local civil society and underrepresented groups in Zambia, including youth, to become key players in creating and advocating innovative climate solutions and engaging in green food system activities.  

Ongoing challenges  

Despite the ongoing activities, Lusaka’s progress on food systems has not been without difficulties. For instance, the LFPC initially struggled with staff turnover and limited dedicated resources. It lacks permanent staffing and currently relies, in part, on outside funding to operate. As such, the HealthyFoodAfrica programme will support the revitalisation of the food policy council in Lusaka. 

However, the need remains for longer-term food system initiatives in Lusaka that build upon the successes of previous efforts, promoting continuity and progress.

Maintaining political support for food system initiatives is an ongoing challenge for many cities. The strong support of Mayor Chitangala has enabled the recent progress – and the momentum looks set to continue at least until the end of his current term in 2026.  

- Written by Brian Cook
Special thanks to Dr. Gilbert Siame, Evelyn Musonda, and Bwalya Funga for sharing their experiences for this article.

Photo credits: Guido Santini