Diet transformations and changing food environments in the Sahel and West Africa

Over the past two decades, urban population growth and rising incomes in West Africa have increased demand for diverse, convenient, safe and nutritious foods, including processed products. At the same time, urbanisation is changing foods environments —the physical, economic, and informational contexts that influence consumer food choices—with expected implications for nutrition. This paper assesses the current understanding of diets and food environment transformations in the region. Findings indicate a shift towards more nutritious foods, as well as oils, sweets, and high-fat products, with dietary changes varying across income groups. Food environments are growing more complex, with numerous outlets offering diverse products, but with inconsistent proximity and affordability. The rapid pace of these changes emphasizes the need for better data systems to update our understanding of food consumption patterns in the region and to capture their growing complexity.