WFP Report: Sub-Saharan Africa governments expand school feeding to 20 million more children

AFRICA – Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa have expanded school meal programmes to reach about 20 million additional children over the past two years, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).

The agency says this marks one of the most significant shifts in education and nutrition policy across the region in recent years.

The number of children receiving school meals rose to 87 million in 2024, nearly a one-third increase compared to earlier years. Unlike before, when international partners carried much of the burden, governments are now driving the expansion with their own resources.

“School feeding is no longer seen as charity but as an investment in education, health, and national growth,” said a WFP regional representative.

Countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Madagascar, and Chad have recorded major gains. Rwanda alone now reaches 4.5 million young pupils, a sixfold rise from previous coverage.

In Kenya, the government fully manages its national programme while WFP plays a technical support role. Between 2023 and 2024, Kenya increased coverage from 1.8 million to 2.6 million children. The government has set a target of reaching 10 million children by 2030.

The impact extends beyond schools. In Benin, the government’s food purchases injected more than US$23 million into the economy in 2024. In Sierra Leone, smallholder farmers provided over a third of the meals served.

Burundi reported a 50 percent rise in farmer incomes linked to local sourcing for school feeding, along with job creation in cooperatives.

“Buying food locally keeps resources in our communities while feeding our children,” said a smallholder farmer in Sierra Leone who now supplies maize to nearby schools.

Across Eastern Africa, more than 32,000 metric tons of food were sourced from 18,000 farmers in 2024, generating nearly US$16 million for local economies.

Studies cited by WFP show that each US$1 invested in school meals can generate between US$7 and US$35 in returns, depending on the country.

Uneven progress and ongoing challenges

Despite the growth, millions of children remain excluded. In countries facing conflict or fragile systems, progress has stalled.

In Sudan, the civil war forced about 16 million children out of school, disrupting food supply chains and leaving many pupils without meals.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and South Sudan, limited funding and poor infrastructure continue to block large-scale delivery.

WFP says it has responded with take-home rations and some locally procured food in Sudan, but many families still struggle. “We cannot talk about children learning on empty stomachs. Governments must keep this momentum alive,” said another WFP official.

The expansion, according to WFP, shows a shift in how African governments view school feeding. Many now treat it not as temporary aid but as a core investment for the future, strengthening both education and local economies.

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