Abstract:
The efficient use of land, water, and energy resources in Africa is crucial for achieving
sustainable food systems (SFSs). A SFS refers to all the related activities and processes from farm to
fork and the range of actors contributing to the availability of food at all times. This study aimed to
analyse the growth in the land–water–energy (LWE) nexus integration in sustainable food system
research. The focus was on publication growth, the thematic areas covered, and how the research
addressed the policies, programmes, and practices using a socio-economic lens. The study utilised
a systematic literature review approach, following the preferred reporting items for systematic
reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The study underscored the limited emphasis on
the socio-economic perspective in the examination of the LWE nexus within sustainable food system
research in Africa. Policies, governance, institutional influences, and social inclusion are crucial for
addressing the region-specific challenges and achieving sustainable outcomes, but they seemed to be
underrepresented in current research efforts. More so, this review revealed a paucity of research on
key influencing factors like gender, conflict, culture, and socio-political dynamics. Ignoring these
social factors might contribute to an inadequate management of natural resources, perpetuating issues
related to food security and equity in resource use and decision-making. Additionally, the dominance
of non-African institutions in knowledge production found in this review highlighted a potential
gap in locally owned solutions and perspectives, which are crucial for effective policy development
and implementation, often leading to failures in addressing region-specific challenges and achieving
sustainable outcomes. Overall, the study highlighted the need for a more holistic approach that not
only considers the technical aspects of the LWE nexus but also the social, cultural, and institutional
dimensions. Additionally, fostering collaboration with local institutions and ensuring a diverse range
of influencing factors can contribute to more comprehensive and contextually appropriate solutions
for achieving sustainable food systems in Africa.
