FS4Africa

In a nutshell – Key facts and figures

Instrument: European Commission subsidy

EC Subsidy: €4,984,995.00

Duur: 4 years, 2024-2028

Consortium: In total 16 partners from 10 countries

Website: https://foodsafety4africa.eu/

In response to the pressing need for improved food safety standards across Africa, the Food Safety for Africa (FS4Africa, https://foodsafety4africa.eu/) project has been launched with a primary focus on aiding vulnerable consumer groups within the informal market. The Information Technology (INF) group of Wageningen University (WU), together with Wageningen Economic Research (WEcR) and Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), is a member of the consortium that aims to empower these consumer groups with the knowledge and tools necessary to handle food safely, thereby reducing risks associated with aflatoxins, mycotoxins, and pesticides. These substances are toxic and invisible. They occur naturally in food or are added during food production, for example, to protect plants from pests. The AI-driven knowledge platform that offers curated information and knowledge to solve food safety challenges in Africa. has already been launched (https://app.ubuntoo.com/g/foodsafety4africa), and four use cases of the project focusing on specific challenges prevalent in the informal sector are already ongoing.

At the heart of the FS4Africa initiative is a commitment to transforming practices and systems within the informal sector. Leveraging the expertise of the INF group, WEcR, WFSR, and other consortium partners, the project will provide an up-to-date assessment of current food safety risks, address key knowledge gaps, and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders. In this context, a PhD candidate at INF group will explore existing information systems for food safety in Africa and design innovative information system solutions tailored to the needs of diverse African consumer groups, in collaboration with stakeholders from various sectors.

FS4Africa is led by a consortium of 16 partners from Africa, the Americas, and Europe including Wageningen University, Wageningen Research, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), who is coordinating the joint effort, Mc Gill University, the African Union, the Joint Research Centre, and many more. Through collaboration and leveraging diverse expertise, FS4Africa aims to enhance food security, facilitate regional trade, and improve the livelihoods of millions across the continent.