Nairobi: At Olympic Secondary School, located in Nairobi's informal settlement of Kibera, 17-year-old Mercy Mmboga is deeply engaged in inspecting the growth of young spinach leaves. These plants, arranged in rows of recycled plastic pipes, are part of the school's innovative hydroponics program, which plays a crucial role in providing nutritious meals to the school's 1,200 students.

According to EMM, the leadership in Africa, particularly in countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Benin, has significantly advanced school meal programs, demonstrating strong political will. In nations such as Burkina Faso, Lesotho, and Rwanda, these programs are now predominantly funded through national budgets, with countries like Ethiopia and Burundi increasing their investments since 2022. This shift towards government ownership is hailed as a success story by Edna Kalaluka, Head of School Feeding at WFP's Eastern and Southern Africa regional office, as it promotes sustainability.

In Kenya, the strategy extends beyond scaling up school meals. The government aims to incorporate planet-friendly practices, such as hydroponics, and strengthen local food systems. Supported by WFP, this initiative involves growing food at schools or sourcing it from local farmers, yielding significant economic returns. Last year, Eastern Africa procured over 32,000 metric tons of food from more than 18,000 farmers, injecting nearly US$16 million into local economies.

Elsewhere in Africa, locally sourced school meals are gaining traction, benefiting countries reliant on smallholder farmers. In Rwanda, for instance, all 4.5 million pupils receive school meals, with farmers like Clementine Mukandayisenga playing a central role in supplying fruits and vegetables. Similarly, in Burundi, locally sourced meals increased farmers' incomes by 50 percent in 2024.

Despite these advances, challenges persist. Conflicts, funding cuts, and access constraints in some African countries have forced WFP and governments to reduce coverage. In Sudan, the ongoing civil war has disrupted education and food supply chains, but over half-a-million students still benefited from locally procured school meals last year.

Through these efforts, African countries are not only addressing immediate nutritional needs but also fostering local economies and sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring a brighter future for their students.