The article proposes five pathways to shape and transform Africa's food systems, based on ideas discussed at a session at the Adaptation Futures Conference in 2023.

1. Develop food systems on urban fringes using green infrastructure: The article suggests using all available urban spaces for food production, including vertical walls, rooftops, community gardens, and vacant lots. It also emphasizes the use of climate-smart agriculture techniques to contribute to the supply of fresh produce in urban areas.
2. Revamp urban agroforestry policy and practices: The integration of trees with crops and/or livestock through agroforestry is proposed as an effective approach to food production and conservation. The article also calls for urban (agro) forestry policy reforms to enable the development of integrated urban farming and encourage agroecological practices.
3. Reform land use policies: The article emphasizes the need for robust land use policies and regulations to preserve agricultural land and meet current and future food demands. It suggests that urbanization guidelines and policies should encourage high-density residential development, limit urban expansion, and include agricultural land rather than greenfield sites.
4. Invest in technology, research, and innovation: The article highlights the need for increased investments in African agriculture to facilitate the transition to skills-intensive approaches. Efficiency improvement in Africa’s food system is required in areas such as production, storage, processing, and packaging of foods. Digital technologies should be leveraged to deliver agricultural information and training to remote areas and expand access to capital and resources. Scientific exchanges in Africa and beyond should be strengthened to facilitate awareness of technological and scientific advances in the transformation of the food system and contribute to investments in the creation of locally relevant urban food systems. Additionally, education programs should be adapted to benefit from industry expertise, good practices, and emerging technologies through innovative initiatives.
5. Reduce inequalities and enhance inclusive adaptive capacity: The article emphasizes the importance of strengthening inclusive adaptive capacity for all social groups, including women, indigenous communities, and smallholder farmers, to enhance food system resilience. It calls for more investment in building gender-responsive research and innovation capacities and ensuring that food system innovations are locally relevant, equitable, and inclusive.