For decades, malnutrition has cast a long shadow over Africa. This problem is not merely about hunger, but about a lack of access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets the dietary needs of people, particularly the vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. The consequences are severe: stunted growth, cognitive impairment, and increased susceptibility to disease.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2020, approximately 149.2 million children under the age of 5 were affected by stunting, 45.4 million by wasting, and 38.9 million by overweight. While stunting rates are decreasing globally, except in Africa, where it remains a persistent issue. Southern Asia and Asia are home to the majority of children affected by wasting, as well as those experiencing severe wasting.
In terms of progress towards the WHO’s 20230 targets, countries have made progress towards reducing stunting, with nearly two-thirds of countries reporting some progress. In contrast, many countries have struggled to make progress towards reducing childhood overweight, with about half of all countries experiencing no progress or even worsening rates.
According to UNICEF, in West Africa, countries like Niger and Mali have stunting rates ranging from 25% to 35%, while in East Africa, countries such as Ethiopia and Uganda report rates between 20% and 30%. In Central Africa, stunting rates can exceed 30% in countries like the Central African Republic and Chad. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent lives diminished and potential unrealised.
Programs and Initiatives
The World Food Programme (WFP) provides daily meals to over 20 million children in schools across Africa, increasing school attendance and improving nutritional status with an investment of approximately $1 billion.
UNICEF’s nutrition interventions reach over 3 million children annually, including Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) with an investment of approximately $600 million.
Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) works with 61 countries, including many in Africa, to develop and implement national nutrition plans with an investment of approximately $150 million.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) funds projects that enhance agricultural productivity and diversify diets, such as the African Fertiliser Financing Mechanism and the African Agricultural Fund. These projects contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture and nutrition systems, with an annual investment of $46 million.
The National Nutrition Program in Ethiopia focuses on scaling up maternal and child nutrition interventions, with an investment of approximately $30 million over five years. The country’s Ministry of Health accounts for the initiative.
In Nigeria, the National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition includes food fortification and supplementary feeding, with an annual investment of $200 million.
None of these advances would be possible without strong leadership. African leaders are increasingly recognising that the fight against malnutrition requires political will and sustained commitment. They are integrating nutrition into their broader development agendas and this is helping to galvanise efforts to reduce hunger and improve nutrition across the continent.
Despite substantial investments and initiatives, the continent still struggles with high rates of malnutrition. Underfunding remains a significant challenge in nutrition financing, with a global shortfall estimated at $1.4 billion annually. This funding gap is particularly pronounced in conflict-affected and remote areas.
Climate change and inadequate infrastructure pose a significant obstacle to effective nutrition program delivery and sustainability, with adverse weather conditions and poor infrastructure hindering efforts to combat malnutrition.
To achieve long-term success in combating malnutrition, enhanced coordination between stakeholders and robust policy frameworks are essential. Improved coordination and policy frameworks are critical for ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of nutrition programs.
