Sub-Saharan Africa Expands School Feeding, Reaches 87 Million Children

Sub-Saharan Africa Expands School Feeding, Reaches 87 Million Children

Sub-Saharan Africa has recorded remarkable progress in tackling hunger in schools, with 20 million more children gaining access to daily meals between 2022 and 2024. According to the World Food Programme’s latest report, the number of pupils benefiting from school feeding rose from 66 million to 87 million, the fastest growth of any region globally.

Countries such as Chad, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Rwanda posted the most significant increases, in some cases multiplying coverage several times over. Officials say the programmes are helping to boost enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and improve learning outcomes while supporting local farmers who supply the food.

Despite the progress, millions of children still go to school hungry, and declining donor funding could threaten long-term sustainability. The WFP has urged African governments to protect and expand these programmes, framing school meals as an investment in both education and national development.