The Africa Food Sustainability Challenge (TAFSC)
An annual learning challenge by ACSAIR Academy to strengthen practical food loss and food waste reduction skills across Africa.
What is TAFSC?
The Africa Food Sustainability Challenge (TAFSC) is an annual knowledge and skills challenge organized by the Afrique Center for Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Research (ACSAIR) through ACSAIR Academy. It combines self-paced learning with a structured assessment to promote practical, evidence-informed approaches to reducing food loss and food waste in African food systems.
TAFSC is designed to:
- Promote practical food sustainability knowledge
- Encourage evidence-based learning and independent preparation
- Recognize top-performing learners through a transparent challenge process
- Build a community of informed practitioners and sustainability champions
Why This Challenge Matters
Food loss and food waste are major sustainability and food security challenges globally and across Africa. International estimates highlight the scale of the issue and the opportunity for action:
– Food loss happens from harvest through the supply chain up to (but not including) retail, while food waste occurs mainly at retail and consumption stages.
– Recent global reporting estimates that about 13% of food is lost before it reaches retail and 19% is wasted across retail, food service and households.
– The world’s agreed direction is clear. SDG Target 12.3 calls for halving per-capita food waste and reducing food losses across supply chains by 2030.
TAFSC exists to translate these global ambitions into practical learning, tested knowledge and real-world application for African contexts.
How TAFSC Works
TAFSC follows a simple, participant-friendly pathway designed for adult learners and practitioners.
Step 1: Learn (Self-Paced)
Participants begin with the official learning pathway course hosted on ACSAIR Academy:
Mastering Food Waste Reduction in Africa (self-paced; approximately 10 hours).
Step 2: Prepare (Independent Study Allowed)
Participants can:
- Take notes while studying
- Complete self-guided tasks and reflection questions
- Conduct additional research to deepen understanding before the assessment
Step 3: Take the Official Test (One Attempt)
When ready, participants access the TAFSC online assessment via the test portal and complete the timed test.
Step 4: Validation and Results
After the challenge window closes each year, results go through a final assessment/validation process. Top performers are then confirmed and announced through official ACSAIR channels.
Note: Each annual edition has an official test window announced on this page and on ACSAIR’s communication channels.
Who Should Join?
TAFSC is designed for African adult learners, practitioners and professionals who want to strengthen their knowledge and practical ability in food sustainability.
Recommended participant profiles include:
- Farmers and producers
- Food handlers and processors
- Household food managers
- Institutional staff (schools, hospitals, hostels, catering units, restaurants)
- Sustainability practitioners and community leaders
- NGO and development professionals
- Students and graduates in agriculture, food systems or sustainability
- Researchers, trainers, and extension workers
- Anyone interested in reducing food loss and food waste in practice
Test Details & Assessment Format
The TAFSC test is designed to be short, focused and competitive. Participants are encouraged to prepare thoroughly because only one attempt is permitted.
Typical assessment format:
- Format: Online multiple-choice assessment
- Questions: 10
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Attempts: One attempt per participant
- Preparation: Course study + additional research allowed before starting the test
Participant guidance (recommended):
- Complete the course before attempting the test
- Review your notes before starting
- Ensure stable internet and a quiet environment
- Confirm device/browser readiness before clicking “Start Test”
Prizes and Recognition
TAFSC recognizes excellence through:
- Cash awards for top performers (prize amounts may vary by edition)
- Public recognition through official ACSAIR communication channels, subject to participant consent and publication policy
For transparency: Prize categories and amounts for each edition are announced on this page before the test portal opens.
About the Learning Pathway Course
Mastering Food Waste Reduction in Africa
This course is the official learning pathway for participants entering TAFSC. It is hosted on the ACSAIR Academy website and is designed to help learners understand and respond to both food loss and food waste across the food system, including production, post-harvest handling, preservation, storage, institutional use and household consumption.
Course format and approach:
- Delivery mode: Online, self-paced
- Estimated duration: ~10 hours
- Learning style: Theory + practical self-guided tasks/assignments
- Preparation: Learners may review content, take notes and conduct further research before the test
What you will learn:
- How food loss and food waste occur at different stages of the food system
- Practical methods for reducing losses in production and handling
- Preservation and storage practices that improve shelf life and food use
- Good practices for homes, institutions, and food service settings
- How to apply concepts in real-life and local contexts
Access & Contact
- Academy: www.academy.acsair.org
- Test portal: www.test.acsair.org