The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Botswana and development partners, commemorated the 11th Anniversary of the African Day of School Feeding (ADSF) in Gaborone, Botswana, under the theme “Ensuring Access to Nutritious Meals, Clean Water, and Hygiene: Promoting Safety and Resilience in Every School Meal Investment.” The event served as a key milestone in evaluating the progress made over the past decade in implementing school feeding programs across the continent and reaffirming commitments to sustaining and scaling up these initiatives.
While the broader celebrations began on February 28, the official African Day of School Feeding is designated as March 1 by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, through Assembly Decision AU Assembly (589 XXVI). Since its endorsement by AU Member States in 2016, ADSF has underscored the pivotal role of school feeding programs in enhancing education, child well-being, and food security across Africa.
The high-level official commemoration took place in the presence of the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, His Honour Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolatlhe; H.E Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI), Africa Union Commission; representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP), and other key partners. The two-day event also brought together Ministers of Education and Agriculture from AU Member States, international organizations, development partners, and key stakeholders.
Presiding over the commemoration, the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, His Honour Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolatlhe, delivered a powerful message on behalf of President H.E. Advocate Duma Gideon Boko. He framed school feeding not merely as a social program, but as a cornerstone of educational equity and economic empowerment. "A well-fed child is a child ready to learn, to grow, and to succeed," he stated. The Vice President championed the model of sourcing food from local farmers, highlighting its dual benefit: nourishing children while stimulating rural economies and creating sustainable livelihoods. He called for a united effort, urging governments, communities, and the private sector to work in concert to expand the reach and efficiency of these vital programs.
Representing the AUC Chairperson, H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI), delivered a keynote address that blended gratitude with a clear-eyed vision for the future. He commended Botswana’s remarkable 60-year history of providing school meals, calling it a beacon for the continent.
Prof. Banyankimbona highlighted the impressive scale of current efforts, noting that school feeding programs now reach over 86 million children across Africa, with member state investments nearly doubling in the past decade. He reinforced the economic rationale for this investment, stating, "Reports indicate that for every dollar invested in school feeding, there is an economic return of up to $9 through improved health, education, and local agricultural development."
The Commissioner strategically linked the ADSF theme to the broader African Union 2026 theme on water and sanitation. "Clean water and safe sanitation are not luxuries; they are essential pillars for health, dignity, and effective learning," he emphasized, insisting that nutritious meals must be integrated with comprehensive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs in schools. He championed the Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) model as the primary vehicle for achieving this, empowering smallholder farmers and building community resilience.
H.E Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona concluded with a strong call for increased domestic financing, stronger policies, cross-sector collaboration, and renewed commitment from Member States and partners to ensure that every African child has access to safe, nutritious meals and a healthy learning environment
The event also featured remarks from key international partners. Brazilian Ambassador to Botswana, Amb. Joao Genesio de Almeida Filho, highlighted the long-standing partnership between Brazil and the AU on school feeding programs. He noted that Brazil’s national school feeding program, which serves over 40 million students annually, provides a model for integrating school meals into national education systems.
The Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, praised African governments for their leadership in school feeding, highlighting that 87 million children across the continent now benefit from these programs, up from 66 million in 2022. She acknowledged that AU Member States now provide more than 70 percent of school feeding funds, a testament to their commitment to investing in education and nutrition. WFP reaffirmed its strong partnership with the AU and Member States to expand school meal programs and ensure that every African child has access to education and proper nutrition.
As Africa looks ahead to the next decade of school feeding, the African Union and its partners remain committed to expanding access to quality education and nutrition for all children. Scaling up investment, strengthening policy implementation, and fostering regional and global cooperation will be essential to ensuring that no African child is left behind.
For media inquiries, please contact:
-
Mr. Maqhawe Freedom Thwala | Digital Communications Officer | Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: ThwalaM@africanunion.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
-
Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org
