About 87 million children in Africa received school meals in 2024, an increase of 21 million compared to 2022, announced on Wednesday, September 10, by the World Food Programme (WFP). The United Nations (UN) agency highlighted that African governments are increasingly investing in these initiatives.
The biennial report “State of School Feeding Worldwide” was released in the week prior to the second Global Summit of the School Meals Coalition, which will take place in Brazil on September 18–19. The event aims to assess progress and mobilize new actions in support of school feeding.
Africa recorded the most significant increase globally, with over 30% growth in the number of children receiving school meals, rising from 66 million in 2022 to 87 million in 2024. “Chad, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Madagascar increased student numbers by up to six times,” emphasized the WFP.
In Mozambique, the WFP implements the “Combating Absenteeism and Reducing Barriers to Education” program, which provides healthy, locally sourced meals and promotes access to education, particularly for girls. “The program demonstrates how developing the capacities of school and community actors is key to changing social norms and attitudes toward equality,” the agency noted.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, government investments in school feeding have increased, signaling a shift from reliance on external aid to recognizing school meals as a strategic public investment in education, health, and child development. Countries such as Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, and Zambia finance programs mainly through national budgets. Others, like Ethiopia and Burundi, have doubled or tripled contributions since 2022 while continuing to receive some external support.
Sustainable models, such as purchasing locally grown products, benefit not only children but also small farmers and agricultural economies. In Benin, this practice contributed more than 23 million dollars in 2024, increasing direct purchases from farmers by 800% and benefiting over 23,000 people.
Despite progress, millions of children still lack access to school meals, especially in low-income countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and South Sudan, due to low domestic funding and reduced external aid. “A school meal is more than just giving food to a child; it is an investment in the family, the community, and the future of a country,” said Eric Perdison, WFP Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Source: Lusa