The document discusses the informal economy in West Africa and its importance for food security. It notes that the informal economy is difficult to define and measure due to its diversity and lack of standard definitions and accounting. However, it plays a major role in providing income, jobs, and services for many households. The document calls for revising concepts and definitions to better capture the full scope and importance of informal economic activities across different sectors. Improving measurements of the informal economy is essential for informing effective food security policies.