The global food system is facing dire challenges. With increasing concerns about climate change, food insecurity, biodiversity loss and malnutrition, there is an urgent need to rethink how and what people  eat. One critical area of focus gaining momentum is the rediscovery and promotion of forgotten foods—indigenous, underutilized crops that hold immense nutritional, cultural and economic value.

At The Food Bridge vzw, we are privileged to be leading a study on the trade of African food in Europe, funded by GFAiR – the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation, as part of the Collective Action on Forgotten Food. Our research aims to map the trade networks and market potential of these forgotten foods, focusing initially on the United Kingdom and France.

Why Indigenous African Food Matters

Indigenous African crops such as fonio, bambara groundnut, garden eggs, African bread fruit, baobab, varieties of cowpea and vegetables, are resilient, climate-smart, and nutritionally rich. These foods have sustained African communities for generations, yet they remain largely absent from mainstream global markets.  

However, on Europe,the African diaspora is gradually changing this narrative. From open markets to high-end restaurants, these communities are not just consumers but also entrepreneurs, chefs, and agrofood innovators. Our preliminary field trip to London revealed a vibrant, growing network of wholesalers, chefs, and small businesses using African ingredients. This evolution shows that there is an untapped market with cultural depth and great economic promise. 

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Thirty years ago, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set forth a comprehensive framework for advancing women's rights and empowerment. As we step into March 2025 a month we dedicate to African women entrepreneurs; while reflecting on the progress made so far, one can't help but wonder: how do women of diverse origins and backgrounds perceive empowerment today?

Women’s realities are as varied as the communities and cultures they come from, making it essential to amplify voices that embody resilience and innovation. This is particularly true for African diaspora female agrofood entrepreneurs, whose experiences shed light on both the challenges and triumphs of empowerment. Their stories help us understand whether the expectations of empowerment are universally applicable or if they carry nuanced meanings shaped by cultural, social, and economic contexts.

Empowered Women, Thriving Communities

African diaspora women in the agrofood sector can

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