Urban Food Security via Market Information Apps in Nigerian Slums: A Comparative Analysis

Urban food security is a critical issue in many developing cities, especially within slum communities where access to reliable market information can significantly impact dietary choices and overall well-being. The study employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative survey data from 200 slum residents and qualitative interviews with app developers and users. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify trends and correlations in app usage frequency and user satisfaction levels. A notable finding is that 85% of respondents reported increased confidence in their food choices after using the apps, which had a direct impact on their household spending patterns, leading to an average reduction of $2 per week in grocery expenses. The analysis suggests that market information apps can be effective tools for enhancing urban food security among slum residents. However, further research is needed to explore long-term impacts and potential barriers to app adoption. Future studies should consider implementing pilot programmes to enhance user engagement and app functionality, with a focus on addressing cultural and technological disparities. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.