Accelerating financing for Africa’s school feeding programmes

Africa is at a critical juncture where the future development of the continent hinges on the well-being and education of its children. Carmen Burbano, the Director of School-based programs and a member of the School Meals Coalition, highlighted the urgency of viewing school feeding initiatives as a developmental issue during an interview with CNBC Africa. Burbano emphasized that financing these programs through innovative strategies, such as taxing global 'bads,' is essential to distribute wealth and address challenges like hunger, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation, causing 370 million children to lose access to meals. As a result, leaders from around the world recognized the importance of investing in and expanding school meal programs, leading to the formation of the School Meals Coalition. The key theme that emerged from the interview was the significance of school feeding programs as a driver of human capital development in Africa. By providing children with access to nutrition and education, these initiatives serve as catalysts for economic growth and transformation. Burbano stressed the critical role of partnerships, like the School Meals Coalition, in tackling the human capital development challenge on the continent. The coalition, which now includes 97 countries and 127 partner organizations, has become a vital platform for coordinating efforts to feed millions of children across Africa. Three key points were emphasized in the interview. Firstly, Burbano underscored that school feeding programs are not a cost but an investment in the future. Research indicates that every dollar invested in school meals yields a ninefold return, as children benefiting from these programs tend to be more productive and have better economic prospects. Secondly, the programs create opportunities for job creation and market access for farmers and women, contributing to sustainable agribusiness development. Lastly, funding models for school feeding programs need to be approached holistically and cross-sectorally rather than carved out from education budgets. Innovative financing mechanisms such as earmarked taxes on 'global bads,' debt swaps, and public-private partnerships are being explored to secure sustainable funding for these initiatives. In discussing the challenges faced by African countries, Burbano highlighted the impact of external shocks, conflicts, and revenue generation constraints on financing school feeding programs. However, she proposed solutions based on successful examples from the continent, such as Ghana's taxation of sugary drinks and tobacco to fund school meals. Additionally, debt swaps, like the one implemented in Mozambique, and public-private partnerships are being leveraged to secure long-term financing for these programs. The African Development Bank Annual Meetings served as a platform to discuss the role of international financial institutions in supporting countries to implement sustainable and impactful school feeding programs. The conversation with Burbano shed light on the transformative power of school feeding programs in Africa and the importance of accelerating financing for these initiatives. By investing in the nutrition and education of children, African countries can build a stronger foundation for economic prosperity and human development. The School Meals Coalition stands as a beacon of collaboration and progress in addressing the challenges faced by millions of children across the continent.