The Southern Africa Food Lab (Food Lab) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that grapples with questions around food systems in southern Africa to foster long-term food security in the region. The initiative brings together diverse, influential stakeholders in the regional food system in order to respond to systemic issues in creative ways and to inspire change in how we think about and act on complex social challenges. The Food Lab facilitates dialogue between these stakeholders to bring about collaborative learning, foster innovations and experimental action towards a just and sustainable food system.