10th African Day of School Feeding Commemorated in Bangui with Renewed Commitments to Expanding School Meal Programs Across Africa
The African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Government of Development Partners commemorates the 10th anniversary of the founding of the African School Feeding Day (ADSF) in Bangui, with the theme “Decade of Nutrition: Celebrate the Past: Celebrate the Past and achieve a good future.” The event is a key milestone in assessing the implementation of school feeding programs throughout the continent over the past decade and reaffirming the commitment to maintain and expanding these programs.
Although the wider celebration began on February 28, the official school feeding day in Africa was designated as the General Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union as the General Assembly of General Assembly Decision AU (589 XXVI). Since AU member states recognized in 2016, the ADSF has highlighted the critical role of school feeding programs in enhancing African education, child well-being and food security.
The senior official commemoration was held in the presence of President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra; he was a professor of education, science, technology and innovation specialist Professor Mohammed Belhocine (ESTI); and representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP), AUDA-NEPAD and other key partners. The two-day event also brings together member states of the Minister of Education and Agriculture, international organizations, development partners and key stakeholders.
In his speech, his Education Minister Simplece Aurélien Zingas reiterated the country’s commitment to expand access to nutritious meals for college children and stressed that school feeding is a key tool for promoting educational and social equality. Commissioner Belhocine echoes the AU’s commitment to expanding the indigenous school feeding program as part of the 2063 agenda to ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals and a quality education. The Bangui Declaration presented during the event reaffirmed the commitment of AU member states to strengthen domestic financing for school feeding to ensure sustainability, integrate local agricultural production into school meal plans to benefit smallholder farmers and improve multisectoral coordination to enhance the impact of school feeding plans.
The event also introduces speeches from major international partners. Fernanda Pacobahyba, president of the Brazilian National Foundation for Education Development, highlighted the long-term partnership between Brazil and the AU in school feeding programs. She noted that the Brazilian National School Feeding Program, which serves more than 40 million students each year, provides a model for integrating school meals into the national education system.
Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Program, praised the African government’s leadership in school feeding, stressing that 87 million children across the continent now benefit from these programs, up to 66 million in 2022. He acknowledged that AU members now provide them with evidence of investment in education and nutrition, which is 70% of school feeding funds. WFP reiterated its strong partnership with the AU and member states to expand school meal plans and ensure that every African child has access to education and proper nutrition.
As part of the commemoration, the African Union formally launched the “#AfricaEducateHer” campaign, which aims to promote education for girls and ensure they continue to gain access to learning opportunities. The campaign recognizes the barriers girls face in education, including poverty, gender discrimination and socio-cultural challenges. By connecting school feeding with gender equality, #AFRICAEDUATESHER strengthens the AU’s commitment to full-inclusive education and empowers young girls across the continent.
The commemoration ended with a school visit where he chaired Touadéra personally demonstrated the projects supporting local school feeding. At Bouboui School, the delegation interacted with students, educators and community members and witnessed first-hand the impact of school feeding programs on student retention, cognitive development, and academic performance. President Touadéra and Commissioner Belhocine visited the classroom, spoke with children who benefited from the daily school meals, and participated in a locally sourced agricultural product exhibition that demonstrated how indigenous school feeding programs can support smallholder farmers and promote sustainable food systems. The delegation also participated in the distribution of meals to children, reaffirming their commitment to expanding school feeding across the continent.
With the future of next school feeding in Africa, the African Union and its partners remain committed to expanding access to quality education and nutrition for all children. Expanding investment, strengthening policy implementation and promoting regional and global cooperation are essential to ensure that African children are not abandoned.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of the African Union (AU).
