Nairobi: At Olympic Secondary School in Nairobi's informal settlement of Kibera, 17-year-old Mercy Mmboga diligently examines rows of young spinach leaves thriving in recycled plastic pipes in the school's backyard. She learned about hydroponics in her agriculture class and is amazed by the potential of this soil-free farming method. Twice a week, Mercy and her fellow students harvest these plants to enhance the nutritional value of the lunches served to the school's 1,200 students.

According to EMM, the leadership in Africa is making significant strides in improving school meal programs. Countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Benin have shown considerable progress. The World Food Programme (WFP) School Meals Director, Carmen Burbano, emphasizes the crucial role of political will in these advancements. In nations such as Burkina Faso, Lesotho, and Rwanda, school meal programs are primarily funded through national budgets. Meanwhile, Ethiopia and Burundi have significantly increased their investments in school meals since 2022.

Edna Kalaluka, Head of School Feeding at WFP's Eastern and Southern Africa regional office, considers government involvement a success story. The engagement of governments ensures the sustainability of these programs.

In Kenya, the strategy extends beyond merely expanding school meals. The government is incorporating planet-friendly practices like hydroponics into the program and strengthening local food systems. WFP supports these initiatives by growing food at schools or sourcing it from local farmers. This approach can generate substantial economic returns, with every US$1 invested yielding between US$7 and US$35. In Eastern Africa, over 32,000 metric tons of food were sourced from more than 18,000 farmers last year, injecting nearly US$16 million into local economies.

Elsewhere in Africa, locally sourced school meals are gaining momentum. Rwanda, for example, ensures that its 4.5 million young pupils receive school meals. Farmers like Clementine Mukandayisenga in Rwanda's Kayonza district play a vital role in supplying schools with fresh produce. In Burundi, locally sourced school meals increased farmers' incomes by 50% in 2024 and generated jobs in numerous cooperatives.

In Benin, where the government has assumed responsibility for the school meals program, students like nine-year-old Schékina Ahanhoto benefit from meals that support their learning. In southern Malawi, farmer-supplied meals have led to increased school enrollment, according to headmaster Felix Malinda.

Despite these successes, challenges persist. Conflicts, funding cuts, and access constraints in some African countries have forced WFP and governments to reduce coverage for pupils. In Sudan, a civil war has disrupted food supply chains, yet more than half-a-million students received locally procured school meals last year.

In eastern Sudan's Al Hafayer, schools have closed, but learning and school meals continue, with children receiving WFP's take-home rations. Volunteer teachers like Hassan and Hanaa remain committed to providing education amid adversity. They emphasize the importance of sufficient meals for students to ensure they can fully benefit from their education.

WFP's school feeding programs in Africa receive support from donors including the African Development Bank, Burundi, Education Cannot Wait, France, Japan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Share the Meal, and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office.