Nairobi, September 11, 2025 – Governments across sub-Saharan Africa have stepped up efforts to fight hunger and keep children in school, feeding an additional 20 million students over the past two years, according to a new report from the World Food Programme (WFP).
The number of children receiving school meals in the region grew by nearly one-third, reaching 87 million in 2024 — the largest increase of any region globally. Countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Madagascar, and Chad made remarkable progress, with some increasing school meal coverage by more than six times despite limited resources.
WFP said this growth shows a major shift in priorities: African governments are increasingly funding these programs themselves instead of relying solely on foreign aid.
“Government investments in school meals mark a significant shift from aid dependency to viewing school feeding as a long-term investment in children’s education, health, and the economy,” the report said.
The expansion of school feeding programs is a rare positive development on a continent facing growing hunger due to climate change, conflict, and rising food prices.
A recent UN report revealed that more than 307 million Africans — one in five — are chronically malnourished, and predicted that by 2030, Africa could account for 60% of the world’s hungry population.
The benefits of school meal programs go beyond nutrition. The WFP report found that governments are increasingly sourcing food locally, boosting rural economies.
In Benin, local procurement contributed more than $23 million to the economy in 2024. In Sierra Leone, over a third of school meals came from smallholder farmers.
However, challenges remain. Millions of children in fragile nations like Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and South Sudan still go without daily school meals as donor support continues to decline.
Experts warn that sustained funding is crucial to maintain progress and prevent children from dropping out of school due to hunger.
WFP called on international partners and African governments to expand their efforts, stressing that school meals are one of the most effective tools to fight hunger, improve education, and reduce poverty.
