Which policies have been implemented to achieve healthy diets from sustainable food systems at the local level across East and West Africa? Results from a policy mapping across 8 African countries

Abstract Introduction Policymakers make decisions that shape food systems (from production, to consumption, to waste). According to the United Nations a quarter of the global population by 2050 will be African, agriculture is the source of livelihood for 70% of the African population, and the continent faces multiple forms of malnutrition simultaneously. After having compiled an evidence-based list of 44 good practice policies with double- and triple-duty potential to address food systems, based on a scoping review and workshops with international experts, we aimed to identify the implementation level of those good practice policies at national and local levels across 8 African countries. Methods In October 2022, a detailed policy mapping started at national and local levels across two African regions, in 8 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda). Evidence of policy development and/or implementation was gathered across those 44 good practice policies, including, among others, information on jurisdiction, responsible government departments and agencies, overarching strategies, regulatory objectives of the policies, and whether policies address nutrition inequalities and/or women's empowerment. The results from the mapping will be analysed using Excel and NVivo12 software program. Results The final results will be available by June 2023. Our results will provide information on the role and potential of local governments to address food systems across African countries. In particular, the results will offer insight on the policy stakeholders involved, on ongoing national, regional or local plans and priorities, and on best examples of local public policies that have positively impacted human or planetary health across different domains of the food system. Conclusions The results from the mapping could inform similar studies across European countries, or inspiration for actions by local policymakers across Europe.