Food governance in Lomé: Dr. Nabagou Moyéme's solutions for sustainable food
The new doctor in urban governance offers concrete avenues for combating food insecurity in African cities.
Lomé, June 13, 2025 – Nabagou Moyéme successfully defended his doctoral thesis in urban governance at the University of Lomé, within the Regional Center of Excellence on Cities in Africa (CERViDA-DOUNEDON). His work, on the theme of: "Food governance in Greater Lomé: what innovations for sustainable food?" , questions the capacity of public policies to guarantee healthy and equitable food in a context of accelerated urbanization.
Faced with the challenges identified – inequalities of access, dependence on imports, informal markets – the researcher proposes several levers for action:
- Rebalance agricultural policies in favor of local producers;
- Structuring short circuits to bring producers and consumers closer together;
- Supervise street trading while promoting its socio-economic role;
- Planning urban agriculture to strengthen food resilience.
"The challenge is to reconcile national abundance and accessibility for all ," she emphasizes, pointing out a striking paradox: certain areas of Greater Lomé suffer from shortages despite sufficient national agricultural production.
For the doctor, the key lies in joint responsibility between authorities and citizens :
- Public authorities must establish regulatory frameworks and invest in infrastructure (markets, transport).
- Residents , through their consumer choices and their involvement in local initiatives, can accelerate the transition.
"Food sustainability is not just a state matter. Every actor has a role to play ," insists Nabagou Moyéme.
With similar challenges (urbanization, informality, precariousness), other African cities could draw inspiration from this work. “This framework is adaptable. It shows that sustainable food requires territorialized and inclusive policies ,” she explains.
Next step? The researcher is considering collaborations with municipalities to translate her recommendations into concrete actions.
Contact:
CEVRIDA-DOUNEDON
Website: www.cervida-togo.org
About the author:
Nabagou Moyéme holds a doctorate in urban governance, specializing in sustainable food systems. Her thesis was defended before a jury composed of five eminent professors from CAMES, chaired by Professor Kossiwa ZINSOU-KLASSOU, University of Lomé, Minister of Social Action, Solidarity and the Advancement of Women (Togo).
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By Djamiou ABOUDOU
