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Approximately 181 million children under five globally live in severe child food poverty, consuming a diet that is insufficient for their physical and cognitive development, according to a 2024 UNICEF report.
According to the report, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for approximately 57 million of those children, where diets are often limited to just two food groups, leaving children without essential nutrients required for healthy growth. Causes of the situation may include inequity, conflict, and climate crises, with affected children facing higher risks of wasting and stunting.
To address the situation, UNICEF, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Government of Benin, has launched the First Foods Africa Initiative, a continental programme aimed at addressing child food poverty and malnutrition through stronger nutrition-sensitive food systems in Cotonou, Benin. The initiative, seeks to guarantee that children across Africa have access to safe, affordable, and nutritious diets in their earliest years. It brought together policymakers, development partners, civil society, and private sector representatives to guarantee that children across Africa have access to safe, affordable, and nutritious diets in their earliest years.
Prof. Julio Rakotonirina, Director of Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the AUC, described the launch as a decisive step towards eradicating child malnutrition and building resilient food systems across the continent. He stressed that nutrition was a right for every child, irrespective of geography or economic status, saying, “With the launch of First Foods Africa, we affirm that good nutrition is a right. Hunger is preventable.
The African Union Commission is working hand in hand with UNICEF, member states, regional bodies, and the private sector to amplify this initiative.” While stunting rates in Africa have declined from 41.5 per cent in 2000 to 32.3 per cent in 2020, population growth means the absolute number of stunted children has risen to 62.3 million.
In addition, 11.4 million children suffer from wasting. Most African countries remain off track to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal nutrition targets. First Foods Africa is built on three strategic pillars: promoting local production of safe and affordable first foods for children under five; strengthening policy environments to support access to those foods; and stimulating consumption through social marketing, behaviour change, and community engagement.
The initiative will initially be rolled out in 14 priority countries across West, Central, East, and Southern Africa. Its success will depend on strong partnerships with African governments, local food producers, and international organisations such as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank.
UNICEF is also establishing a Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) to mobilise resources, offer technical support, and encourage private sector investment. Mr Omar Abdi, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director and Mr Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, Benin’s Minister of State in charge of Government Action Coordination, reaffirmed their country’s commitment to championing child nutrition, describing it as central to building a resilient continent.
Civil society organisations and private sector leaders present at the launch also pledged support for reshaping food systems to better meet children’s needs. The initiative, if successfully implemented, would significantly reduce child food poverty and undernutrition, giving millions of children access to healthier diets and improved chances of survival and growth. UNICEF and the AU said the long-term goal is to ensure no child is left behind as Africa’s future rests on the health and potential of its youngest citizens.
