Smith, Katherine AliceEmmambux, Mohammad NaushadDada, Shakila2025-08-222025-08-222025-08Smith, K.A., Emmambux, M.N. & Dada, S.S. Stakeholder insights and policy recommendations from the InnoFoodAfrica Project on traditional African foods. South African Journal of Science 2025;121(7/8), Art. #17677. https:// doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2025/17677.0038-2353 (print)1996-7489 (online)10.17159/sajs.2025/17677http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103956SIGNIFICANCE : Supporting systems that provide healthy and safe food ingredients and products and environmentally sustainable nutrition and food security solutions are key local priorities. To achieve these priorities in South Africa, multilevel and multiagency support is needed by smallholder farmers to expand the cultivation, growing, distribution, marketing, and production of indigenous and traditional African food crops (ITFC) and ingredients, as well as the sale, acceptance, and consumption of ITFCs. Public education is required to transform local perspectives on protein intake and the benefits of ITFCs. The government must exempt ITFCs from VAT to promote their mainstream commercial viability.en© 2025. The Author(s). Published under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence.Indigenous African food cropsTraditional African food cropsStakeholder engagementSustainable nutritionFood securityFood innovationsCommentaryArticle