A community of practice on circular development is emerging in Africa. ICLEI Africa and partners are articulating what circularity can mean for our cities, with governance strategies that support informality, traditional knowledge and ecological regeneration as vital aspects of urbanisation.

Food initiatives in cities not only contribute to food security, but they also benefit a city’s economy and biodiversity. ICLEI Africa’s recent research shows that beyond these benefits, urban food gardens can also play a role in the social transformation of a city.

The advantages of indigenous foods include reconnecting us with our roots; offering higher nutritional value than their exotic counterparts; and supporting a resilient and sustainable food source, especially in the face of climate change (De Bruin et al., 2018).

Lessons from a food systems webinar