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Informal Food Deserts and Household Food Insecurity in Windhoek, Namibia

Equity Focus

This study targets informal settlements in the Namibian capital Windhoek to explore the relationship between informality and food deserts in African cities where the problem of accessibility is prevalent. Households are unable to access food in sufficient quantity, quality, variety and regularity.

Case Summary

This project focuses on a case study of informal settlements in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, to shed further light on the relationship between informality and food deserts in African cities. The data for the paper was collected in a 2016 survey and uses a sub-sample of households living in shack housing in three informal settlements in the city. Using various standard measures, the paper reveals that the informal settlements are spaces of extremely high food insecurity. They are not, however, food deprived. The proximity of supermarkets and open markets, and a vibrant informal food sector, all make food available. The problem is one of accessibility. Households are unable to access food in sufficient quantity, quality, variety, and with sufficient regularity.

Lessons Learned

• The problem is one of accessibility in Windhoek, Namibia. Households are unable to access food in sufficient quantity, quality, variety, and with sufficient regularity.

LINK TO CASE STUDY