Abstract:
Edible insects have gained popularity as alternative food resources in the face of climate
change and increasing carbon and environmental footprints associated with conventional
agricultural production. Among the positive attributes thatmake edible insects suitable as
food and feed substrates include rapid reproduction, high energy conversion efficiency,
wide distribution, diversity, reduced greenhouses gases and ammonia emissions,
possibility to reduce waste and high nutritional composition. In Sub-Saharan Africa,
considerable scientific data exist on use of insects as food and livestock feed. However,
coherent policies regarding safety, sustainability, trade and regulation of insects as food
and animal feed are lacking. The benefits associated with edible insects are likely to
accrue in Sub-Saharan Africa through use of a combination of approaches such as
ensured sustainable utilization of edible insects in the wild, preservation of traditional
conservation, harvesting and consumption practices, development of captive mass
production schemes and strengthening robust value chains to incentivise indigenous
participants. Collectively these approaches are referred to as the steward and use of
insects as food and animal feed. This paper examines the policy frameworks that exist
to support the use of edible insects as food and feed on the African continent. This
investigation employed a literature review focussing on national policies in selected
African countries to assess the relevance to edible insects. Using a baseline of more
than 10 edible insect species consumed, 10 country cases in Sub-Saharan Africa were
used to support our in-depth examination of the policy situation that may support good
stewardship of edible insects as food and feed. Focus on how policies encompassing
biodiversity, natural resources, culture, education, research, technology development,
trade, health and nutrition and how that could be improved to support inclusivity of
edible insects is discussed. We conclude by proposing a pathway that may accelerate
recognition and valorisation of edible insects as important food and feed resources in
Sub-Saharan Africa including improving policies to support good stewardship of these
resources for sustainability.
