• Senegal launched phase 3 of the “Sukaabe Jango” program to provide hot meals to 135,424 students in six southern departments.

• The initiative will deliver 57.2 million meals using 8,690 tons of U.S. agricultural products and 2,366 tons of locally sourced cowpeas.

• The United States has invested $107 million in Senegal’s education sector since 2007 through the McGovern-Dole program.

Senegal has launched the third phase of its “Sukaabe Jango” (Children of Tomorrow) program to provide school meals to more than 135,000 students in vulnerable southern regions, as authorities seek to improve educational outcomes and inclusion.

The government launched phase 3 of the program on Thursday, February 12, in Dakar. Authorities will provide hot meals to 135,424 children enrolled in schools in the departments of Sédhiou, Goudomp, Bounkiling, Kolda, Vélingara and Médina Yoro Foulah, according to an official statement. The U.S. Department of Agriculture supports the project through the McGovern-Dole program, and the NGO Counterpart International implements the initiative. The program combines school feeding with efforts to strengthen local food sovereignty.

The official statement said, “this program illustrates the strength of cooperation between Senegal and the United States, through the continued commitment of the USDA and the operational expertise of Counterpart International.” Local media reported that the initiative will serve 57,182,513 meals using 8,690 tons of U.S. agricultural products and 2,366 tons of locally sourced cowpeas. The program will also train 904 school management committees and implement reading improvement activities in 337 schools, particularly in CM1 and CM2 grades.

Education Minister Moustapha Guirassy said, “well nourishing a child strengthens his or her learning capacity.” Jennifer Davis Paguada, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, said that the program demonstrates the lasting impact of American leadership and investment in education, with $107 million invested since 2007.

The initiative comes as Senegal’s education system faces persistent structural challenges. The 2025 report on the state of the national education system showed that more than four in ten children aged 6 to 16 remain out of school, particularly in rural and inland areas. The same report showed that a majority of enrolled students fail to reach basic competencies in reading and mathematics, which undermines their future prospects.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou