Afdb, Au Partner To Eradicate Malnutrition The African Development Bank (Afdb) Has Partnered With The African Union (Au) To Launch A Joint Initiative Aimed At Eradicating Malnutrition Across The Continent. The Initiative, Called “The Malabo-Montpellier Panel Report,” Aims To Harness The Expertise And Resources Of Both Organizations To Tackle The Urgent Issue Of Malnutrition In Africa. Malnutrition Remains A Significant Challenge In Africa, With Millions Of People Suffering From Hunger And Undernourishment. The Partnership Between Afdb And Au Seeks To Address This Issue By Focusing On Policy Reform, Increased Investment, And Improved Coordination Of Efforts To Improve Nutrition Outcomes In Africa. The Initiative Will Work Towards Making Agriculture And Food Systems In Africa More Resilient And Sustainable, Promoting Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture, And Investing In Research And Innovation To Transform Food Systems. It Will Also Support Efforts To Reduce Post-Harvest Losses, Improve Access To Nutritious Food, And Enhance The Skills And Knowledge Of Farmers And Food Producers. By Joining Forces, Afdb And Au Aim To Leverage Their Expertise And Networks To Drive Transformative Change In The Fight Against Malnutrition. The Partnership Will Focus On Improving Data Collection And Analysis, Ensuring Evidence-Based Decision-Making, And Enhancing Accountability To Ensure Progress Is Made In Eradicating Malnutrition. The Afdb And Au Partnership Comes At A Crucial Time When The Covid-19 Pandemic Has Exacerbated Existing Food Insecurity And Malnutrition Challenges In Africa. The Joint Efforts Will Contribute To Building Resilient Food Systems And Reducing The Vulnerability Of African Populations To Future Crises. Overall, This Partnership Marks A Significant Step Towards Eradicating Malnutrition In Africa And Improving The Quality Of Life For Millions Of People. By Working Together, Afdb And Au Aim To Create A Sustainable And Food-Secure Future For The Continent.

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank Groups (AfDB) launched a regional consultation in collaboration with the government of Senegal to address malnutrition across Africa. This initiative, called the African Leaders for Nutrition (ALN) initiative, aims to transform nutrition policy and financing in Africa.

The inaugural two-day consultation for the West Africa region was held in Dakar, Senegal and marked the beginning of the development of Africa’s first-ever Multisectoral Nutrition Policy Framework (MNPF) and an investment target for combating malnutrition. The consultation successfully gathered the necessary data to develop the MNPF and investment targets, while also building consensus on interventions to reduce stunting, wasting, anemia, and overweight among women, children, and adolescents.

The event brought together experts in healthcare, nutrition, education, agriculture, and finance from nine West African countries, along with representatives from the governments of Senegal, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia, GuineaBissau Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire. Civil society organizations, UNICEF, the World Food Programme of the United Nations, and other key nutrition stakeholders also participated.

The regional consultation generated actionable sector-specific insights and recommendations to inform the development of the MNPF and ensure effective implementation across all sectors. This initiative is a result of a resolution passed during the African Union’s 41st Executive Council meeting held in Lusaka, Zambia in 2022, which called for the development of a multisectoral policy framework and a nutrition investment target.

During the opening ceremony, Ibrahima Gueye, Director of Cabinet for the Prime Minister of Senegal, emphasized the importance of increased funding for nutrition and the need for leaders to understand that investing in nutrition is investing in the future of their nations. He stressed the importance of stronger ownership of nutrition goals and a firm commitment to mobilizing sustainable resources and using funds effectively.

Gertrude Kara, the African Union Commission’s Technical Advisor for Nutrition Policy, highlighted the significance of the regional consultation in developing a unified, continent-wide approach to nutrition policy and financing. The insights gathered during this consultation will inform similar consultations across Africa, leading to a comprehensive framework to improve nutrition outcomes for millions of people.

George Ouma, the AfDB’s ALN Coordinator, emphasized the holistic approach to nutrition by bringing together experts from various sectors. He stated that this consultation would shape policies not only in West Africa but also inform a continent-wide strategy for improving nutrition outcomes.

The ALN Initiative, spearheaded by the AfDB and championed by African leaders, works to galvanize political will and significant investments to address nutrition challenges. Since its official endorsement in 2018, the initiative has secured critical commitments from governments across Africa, leading to impactful policy changes and cross-sector collaborations.