Food Insecurity, Poverty and Informality

Abstract

Although Mozambique has one of Africa’s fastest growing formal economies, its informal economy has remained extremely dynamic and resilient. This is particularly evident in the capital, Maputo where over 75 % of the economically-active population are estimated to be in informal employment. The informal sector plays a critical role in the urban food system of Maputo and is the major supplier of food to households in Maputo’s poverty belt, where the majority of the population lives. This chapter therefore focuses on the relationship between the levels of household food insecurity in Maputo and the informal food system. Using data from AFSUN’s baseline survey in the city, the chapter demonstrates that the poverty belt is characterised by high levels of food insecurity but that the informal economy plays a critical role in making food accessible to poor urban households. Without the ability to access food from informal sources, households would be significantly worse off than they already are.