By Chinedu Madu
The problem of food loss and waste is a global issue recognized by the United Nations and included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Target 12.3 of the SDGs aims to drastically reduce global food waste by the 2030, as well as shrink losses emanating from production and supply chains in Agrifood systems. To this end, September 29th of every year is celebrated as the International Day Of Awareness Of Food Loss And Waste(IDAFLW). The day is set aside to raise awareness and promote global actions against Food Loss And Waste. Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO), a UN specialized agency as well United Nations Environment Programe(UNEP), organize this annual event.
As part of efforts to give action to the awareness in this year’s celebration, which is it’s sixth observance, a Food Sovereignty Activist Queen Nina Womack, is mobilizing African Youths Organizations and like-minded community members. Queen Womack who is a development Queen in Ghana as well as an Honorary Chief in Nigeria, is partnering the Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in this unique move to fight Food Loss And Waste In the African continent. She is the founder of a wellness organization: Let’s Be Whole, which focuses on holistic health and uses food as medicine to empower underserved communities, both in the United States and Africa. As part of weeklong activities for this year’s awareness, the Queen Mother Nina Womack, also called, The Queen Of Food Waste Reduction, will be organizing a virtual event captioned: “Mobilizing African Youths And Communities For A Sustainable Food Future”. The event is scheduled for Saturday, 27th of September 2025.
This call to action has become necessary because each year, nearly one third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted. According to a 2022 report from the United Nations Environment Programe (UNEP) report approximately 1.05 billion tonnes of food is wasted annually. Food loss and waste occurs in the supply chain, from harvest to retail, at the food service and household levels. The majority of food waste, around 60 percent, occurs in households.
Sub Saharan Africa has the highest percentage of post-harvest food loss in the world, with up to 50 percent of fruits and vegetables being lost. This is largely due to factors like poor storage, inadequate transportation, and limited access to energy for cold chain facilities. Although Food Loss And Waste is a continent-wide issue, according to data from the UNEP and other publications, the African countries with the highest tonnage of food waste include:
Nigeria: As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria is the largest generator on the continent, with an estimated 37.9 million tonnes wasted annually. The food currently wasted in Nigeria could provide food for about 160 million people each year.
Egypt: This is another major food waste generator with an estimates placing total annual waste at over 18 million tonnes.
Tanzania: Ranks among the top generators, with a household waste estimated at over 9.9 million tonnes per year.
Democratic Republic Of Congo (DRC): Generates an estimated 8.9 million tonnes food waste annually.
As this food waste continues to happen, millions of people in Africa continue to face hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. The ripple effects are devastating: lost income for farmers, wasted energy, land, and water, as well as mounting greenhouse gas emissions. However, these challenges equally provides opportunity for innovative solutions.
Across the globe, some countries are successfully implementing strategies that offer valuable lessons for others. In Europe, over 59 million tonnes of food waste are generated each year, but countries like France and Denmark have enforced powerful policies to tackle it. France’s law prohibits supermarkets from throwing away edible foods and mandates them to donate such to those in need. South Korea implements a mandatory composting system and charges residents based on the volume of food waste they produce. This policy has dramatically increased its food waste recycling rate to 96 percent. These successes, according to Queen Nina Womack, “demonstrate that with strategic policy and adequate public awareness, a significant reduction in food waste is achievable” .
The development Queen, further said that in California, where she resides, a proactive step at reducing food waste was taken with a legislation, Senate Bill (SB 1383), which requires organic wastes to be sent to landfills and a corresponding increase in edible food recovery. Also another law there, requires supermarkets , grocery stores, and restaurants to donate surplus edible food to recovery organizations. This policy has over the years enable non-profits like her ‘ Let’s Be Whole ‘ to have access to constant food supplies to those in need. “This strategy, by directly enabling and supporting grassroots efforts led by charitable organizations, offers a blueprint for policy could be adapted throughout Africa”, she noted.
The upcoming virtual event is expected to provide a strategic launch pad for a Pan-African Youth And Community Mobilization campaign against Food Loss And Waste. Young leaders, creators and community change makers will unite and take a historic stand against Food Waste And Food Insecurity in Africa. By working together, they can engage in awareness, advocacy, storytelling, and on-the- ground solutions that link sustainability to culture, innovation, and community well-being.
No doubt, this collaborative awareness is will take more than a one-off virtual event to bring about the desired change. It’s a long-term strategy that will be a constant community awareness and policy advocacy in Africa. Queen Womack added: “We as a coalition, are committed to the long term goals of achieving drastically reduced food loss and waste in the continent “.
All African youths and other concerned community members are invited to join forces with Queen Mother Nina Womack in the fight against Food Insecurity and Waste. The time is now !
The 27th September 2025, fight against Food Waste virtual event could be accessed via this link: http://meet.google.com/pbt-gazv-cij. Time is 5pm East African Time, 5pm Nigerian Time, 4pm Ghanian Time, and 9am Los Angeles Time.
