Nairobi: At Olympic Secondary School, located in Nairobi's informal settlement of Kibera, 17-year-old Mercy Mmboga is actively engaged in inspecting the growth of spinach leaves, nurtured through hydroponics in the school's backyard. This innovative, soil-free farming method is part of a broader effort to boost school meal programs across Africa.

According to EMM, the leadership in Africa has made significant strides in enhancing school meal programs, with countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Benin leading the way. Carmen Burbano, WFP School Meals Director, emphasized the importance of political will in implementing effective school meal programs. In several nations, including Burkina Faso, Lesotho, and Rwanda, school meal initiatives are primarily funded through national budgets. Meanwhile, countries such as Ethiopia and Burundi have significantly increased their investments in school meals since 2022, while still receiving some external support.

Edna Kalaluka, Head of School Feeding at WFP's Eastern and Southern Africa regional office, described the governmental takeover of these programs as a success story, highlighting its role in promoting sustainability. In Kenya, the focus extends beyond scaling up school meals to integrating environmentally friendly practices, like hydroponics, and strengthening local food systems. WFP's support for these initiatives has shown promising economic returns, with significant contributions to local economies.

In other parts of Africa, locally sourced school meals are gaining traction, supporting smallholder farmers and enhancing educational outcomes. In Rwanda, for example, 4.5 million students benefit from school meals, supported by local farmers like Clementine Mukandayisenga. Her involvement in a WFP-supported cooperative has not only improved her children's nutrition but also provided economic benefits for her family.

In Burundi, the emphasis on locally sourced meals has increased farmers' incomes and created jobs within cooperatives. Similarly, in Benin, where the government has taken ownership of the school meals program, students like Schékina Ahanhoto have experienced positive educational outcomes. In Malawi, the introduction of farmer-supplied meals has led to increased school enrollment, as noted by headmaster Felix Malinda.

Despite these successes, challenges persist in ensuring consistent access to school meals across Africa. Conflicts, funding cuts, and logistical challenges have impacted coverage in some regions. In Sudan, ongoing civil conflict has disrupted food supply chains and education, yet efforts continue to provide school meals to affected children through WFP's take-home rations.

Volunteers like teacher Hassan and Hanaa remain committed to educating Sudan's next generation, despite the challenging circumstances. WFP's school feeding programs across Africa receive support from various donors, including the African Development Bank, France, Japan, and others.