On World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16, Wawira Njiru, the CEO of the Kenyan non-profit Food for Education, delivered a powerful message urging African and global leaders to prioritize investments in school feeding programs. In her impassioned call, Njiru emphasized the critical need for initiatives that address hunger in schools, noting that children who are hungry cannot learn effectively. Her advocacy underscored the necessity of feeding Africa’s youth in order to secure the continent’s future.
As part of her message, Njiru pointed to recent data from the World Bank’s Africa Pulse report, highlighting the deep-seated challenges facing education in Sub-Saharan Africa. She called for a “school feeding revolution” across the continent to ensure that African children remain in school and receive the education necessary for the continent’s development. Njiru’s work through Food for Education currently feeds over 450,000 children daily in Kenya, but she stressed that this is only a fraction of the 200 million children facing malnutrition in Africa. Her visit to Washington, where she will meet with World Bank officials, comes at a critical juncture for the continent, as global challenges, including climate change and economic instability, exacerbate hunger and disrupt access to education.
The Link Between Hunger and Education
Njiru’s fundamental message is clear: hungry children cannot learn. Food insecurity in Africa is a significant barrier to education, and unless addressed, it will continue to prevent millions of children from reaching their full potential. School feeding programs have been proven to improve both attendance and performance in schools, as children are more likely to stay in class and concentrate when they are not distracted by hunger. In her remarks, Njiru stressed that these programs do more than just provide meals—they are an investment in Africa’s future.
“If we are serious about investing in our continent, we must urgently invest in the education of our children, as they represent the human capital for all our futures,” Njiru said. By offering nutritious meals at school, programs like Food for Education provide a solution to classroom hunger and help children focus on their studies. According to Njiru, this is one of the most effective ways to ensure that children stay in school and acquire the skills necessary for their own success and the development of the continent.
A Growing Crisis
The need for school feeding programs in Africa has never been more pressing. The World Bank’s Africa Pulse report paints a sobering picture of the current educational landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa:
- 90% of ten-year-olds in Sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read simple text. This literacy gap represents a profound challenge to the region’s long-term economic prospects.
- 7 in 10 children in Sub-Saharan Africa are not benefiting from pre-primary education, depriving them of a critical foundation for future learning.
- Fewer than 1.5% of 15 to 24-year-olds are enrolled in formal vocational education programs, compared to roughly 10% in high-income countries. This disparity leaves a significant portion of Africa’s youth without the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly globalized economy.
- More than 45 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa are at risk of malnutrition due to climate change, which is creating an agricultural crisis that threatens food security across the continent.
These statistics underscore the importance of investing in initiatives that tackle both hunger and education. School feeding programs represent a practical and sustainable solution to these challenges. By providing a nutritious meal every day, these programs help keep children in school, reduce dropout rates, and give them the energy to focus on their studies.
Food for Education’s Model and Vision for Growth
Food for Education has been at the forefront of addressing hunger in schools, using a unique and replicable model that focuses on linking local food supply chains with school feeding initiatives. By sourcing ingredients from smallholder farmers and employing local parents and communities in the preparation and distribution of meals, the organization creates jobs and supports local economies while feeding hungry children.
As of 2024, Food for Education is feeding over 450,000 children daily in Kenya. This number, however, represents just 0.2% of all the children across Africa who are facing malnutrition. Recognizing the immense scale of the problem, Njiru announced that Food for Education has set an ambitious goal: by 2030, the organization aims to feed 3 million children daily across Africa. This expansion will be driven by a three-pronged strategy:
- Scaling up in Kenya: The organization plans to partner with county governments and the national government to feed 1 million children daily in Kenya. This collaboration will make affordable, nutritious meals available to even more students across the country.
- Expansion into two additional African countries: Food for Education is already working on securing partnerships in two target countries, where they plan to replicate their success in Kenya by feeding an additional 2 million children daily. This expansion will be built on the organization’s experience in creating and managing local food supply chains and engaging communities in the school feeding process.
- Establishing a Centre of Excellence: To ensure that other communities and organizations can replicate Food for Education’s model, the organization will create a Centre of Excellence. This center will serve as a hub for sharing knowledge and best practices for starting and scaling school feeding programs.
Investing in Africa’s Human Capital
Njiru’s call to action resonates not only with policymakers and international organizations but also with local communities across Africa. School feeding programs have the potential to transform the educational landscape on the continent, helping to bridge the gap between those who have access to education and those who do not. As Africa continues to face significant challenges—from economic inequality to the growing impact of climate change—investing in its human capital is essential for the continent’s future growth and stability.
The World Bank’s Africa Pulse report highlights the critical role that education and skills development will play in ending poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the report, addressing education and skills gaps, among other investment and policy priorities, could accelerate growth and create opportunities for millions of young people across the region. School feeding programs, which help keep children in school and improve their learning outcomes, are a key part of this equation.
A Call for Global Support
Njiru’s visit to Washington, where she will meet with officials from the World Bank, underscores the importance of global support for school feeding programs in Africa. These initiatives cannot be sustained by local efforts alone; they require the backing of international organizations, governments, and private sector partners. By supporting programs like Food for Education, global leaders can help ensure that African children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the continent’s future.
On World Food Day, Njiru issued a clear call to action: “On this World Food Day, I am calling on leaders in Africa and around the world to commit to investing in our children by supporting programs like Food for Education. By doing so, we can ensure our children acquire the skills necessary for their success and that of Africa.”
As Africa continues to grapple with the dual challenges of hunger and education, investing in school feeding programs represents one of the most effective ways to secure the continent’s future. By keeping children in school and providing them with the nourishment they need to succeed, these programs are not only addressing immediate needs but also laying the foundation for a brighter future for Africa.
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