As Africa confronts major challenges in education and nutrition, school meal programs are emerging as a strategic tool that links access to education with local employment and food security.

During the second global summit of the Coalition for School Meals, held from Thursday, September 18, to Friday, September 19, over 40 governments committed to expanding their national school meal programs. The goal is to ensure that at least 50% of children worldwide receive a meal at school by 2030. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 466 million children in 143 countries now receive school meals through government initiatives, an increase of 80 million, or 20%, compared to four years ago.

Africa at the Center of Global Programs

Africa is at the forefront of this growth, with its school meal programs expanding rapidly. In 2024, 87 million children on the continent benefited from these initiatives—nearly double the number recorded in 2018, according to the WFP’s State of School Feeding Worldwide 2024 report. This progress is tied to a policy of local procurement, designed to strengthen food security and boost local economies.

African programs follow the "Home-Grown School Feeding" model, which prioritizes local sourcing and encourages participation from women farmers, who make up the majority of producers involved. This approach not only feeds children but also builds a local value chain, stimulating rural economies and strengthening community resilience against food and climate crises.

In Benin, the purchase of local agricultural products for school canteens contributed over $23 million to the national economy in 2024, directly benefiting more than 23,000 smallholder farmers. In Burundi, the WFP’s local procurement program led to a 50% increase in farmers’ incomes and created job opportunities in 67 cooperatives with 20,000 members. In Sierra Leone, more than a third of school meals came from local small producers, primarily women and youth, who grow rice, legumes, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables.

Concrete Impacts on Education and Employment

School meal programs have an immediate effect on student attendance and performance. A 2023 WFP study revealed that class attendance rates increased by 8% to 10% in several West African countries, while school enrollment saw an average rise of 9% in schools with canteens. These programs are a major tool for combating school dropout rates, especially in rural and disadvantaged areas.

Beyond education, the economic impact is tangible. The production, preparation, and distribution of school meals generate thousands of local jobs. In 2024, Ghana’s School Feeding Programme (GSFP) employed about 34,000 government-paid cooks, with women making up 50% to 75% of the workforce. These programs also support local farmers, transporters, and suppliers, creating sustainable income and fostering the inclusion of women in agriculture and rural entrepreneurship.

According to Cristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General, every 100,000 children fed can generate up to 1,000 direct jobs. The WFP also estimates that every dollar invested in a school meal program can yield up to $35 in economic returns by improving productivity and supporting local communities.

Children’s nutrition also improves. School programs help reduce chronic and acute malnutrition, which in turn boosts concentration, academic success, and long-term health. “School meals are so much more than just a plate of food. They open up a world of education for vulnerable children, and help transform national education, health and food systems,” said Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director.

School meals in Africa represent a new educational model, linking nutrition, education, and local employment. They are a strategic investment for the continent’s development, strengthening both educational systems and rural economies. This dynamic shows how Africa can play a central role in deploying global school meal programs and help build a more inclusive and prosperous future for generations to come.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou