From Markets to Meals: How West African Diets Are Evolving with Urban Growth

West Africa’s dietary landscape is rapidly changing due to urbanization, rising incomes, and market dependence, increasing demand for diverse and processed foods but also driving up food costs, especially for nutritious options. Policies supporting food affordability and better data on food environments could help address disparities in diet quality across the region.

A recent report from the Sahel and West Africa Club at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with contributions from Michigan State University, delves into the significant transformations in dietary patterns across West Africa, driven largely by population growth, rapid urbanization, and rising incomes. Over the past two decades, urban populations have expanded considerably, increasing the demand for diverse, convenient, safe, and nutritious food, including both fresh and processed products. As these countries modernize, their food environments the physical, economic, and informational contexts influencing food choices are becoming increasingly complex, shaping consumer preferences and affecting nutrition outcomes. Changes in the food landscape, from market reliance to food variety, are also bringing new challenges to low-income and rural communities. These shifts highlight a growing need for detailed data systems to track the complexity of food consumption patterns in the region, which are expected to continue evolving in line with the trends seen thus far.

Urbanization Reshapes Dietary Habits

Urbanization has played a central role in reshaping dietary habits in West Africa, driving up demand for various foods, including animal-sourced products, fruits, vegetables, and processed items. In urban areas, residents have better access to these foods due to the presence of diverse retail outlets such as supermarkets, kiosks, and independent stores. However, food environments differ sharply based on location and income, with wealthier urban neighborhoods seeing a higher variety and quality of perishable products than rural and lower-income areas. While food from open-air markets and street vendors still accounts for a significant portion of purchases, more affluent areas tend to offer better access to foods that require an effective cold chain, such as dairy and meat products. The study notes that wealthier households generally consume a wider range of food groups, including fresh produce and animal products, and enjoy a higher frequency of meals outside the home, reflecting both lifestyle changes and socioeconomic divides. In contrast, lower-income and rural households, although they are also moving toward dietary diversification, often face limitations in accessing these nutritious options due to the high costs associated with food diversity and availability.

Market Reliance and Economic Challenges

The reliance on markets across the region has introduced economic challenges that influence dietary choices, particularly in rural areas. In Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal, food consumption has gradually diversified, with households consuming more food groups compared to a decade ago. However, cereals continue to be the foundation of diets, especially in low-income and rural households where limited access to nutritious foods, like fruits, vegetables, and animal products, constrains diet quality. These households are also more affected by high food prices, which have escalated due to economic pressures from global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, affecting imported food, energy, and fertilizer prices. Data from the study show that households in rural areas purchase a smaller share of their food from markets compared to their urban counterparts, although market dependence remains high. This trend underscores the role of markets in food access across both urban and rural areas, particularly as subsistence farming becomes less central to food security. In rural areas, households still source a significant portion of their maize, millet, and sorghum from markets, underscoring a shift away from traditional farming-based food access toward market reliance, even for staple foods.

Processed Foods Gain Popularity

Food consumption patterns in West Africa are marked by a high intake of processed and ultra-processed foods, which appeal to consumers due to their convenience and extended shelf life. Data indicate that processed foods account for about half of all food items consumed in Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. In urban settings, consumption of ultra-processed items is higher among wealthier households, who have greater access to these products through supermarkets and stores. However, the trend is not confined to urban areas; rural households are also incorporating processed foods into their diets, though at a lower frequency and quantity. This shift is partly a result of the increasing availability of these foods in open markets and through informal street vendors, who provide an affordable, though often lower-quality, alternative to formal retail channels. Additionally, food consumed outside the home has become a growing phenomenon, with urban and higher-income households more frequently dining out or purchasing snacks and beverages from vendors. The report reveals that close to three-quarters of households across these countries reported that at least one family member consumed food outside the home weekly, reflecting a regional trend toward convenience foods and meals.

Food Costs Keep Nutritious Diets Out of Reach

The cost of nutritious diets remains a challenge for many in West Africa, with food prices in the region being around 30-40% higher than those in countries with similar income levels. As a result, households across Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal allocate a large portion of their income to food—56% in Mali, 65% in Nigeria, and 49% in Senegal. This expense impacts all income groups but is particularly burdensome for low-income households, who often have limited budgets and cannot afford a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Consequently, many households struggle to achieve dietary diversity, even as they spend a considerable share of their earnings on food. Rising prices have exacerbated these affordability issues, further limiting access to high-quality, nutrient-dense foods. Furthermore, unhealthy processed foods, often promoted through targeted advertising, have become more common, potentially posing a threat to public health as malnutrition and obesity rates rise in urban areas.

Policy Interventions as a Path Forward

Despite these challenges, the report underscores the role of policy interventions and food environment improvements in enhancing food security and nutrition across the region. Policies promoting market efficiency, food affordability, and the availability of nutrient-dense foods could help address existing gaps in food access, especially for vulnerable populations. Moreover, collecting and analyzing high-quality data on food environments is crucial to developing effective policies that respond to the diverse needs of West African communities. By understanding how factors like retail proximity, food prices, and consumer preferences shape dietary choices, policymakers can support healthier diets and improve food security outcomes in West Africa.