The ECOWAS Homegrown School Feeding Conference.

Let’s meet our financial commitment to achieve HGSF

The African Union's theme for 2024, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa," emphasizes the critical role of resilient education systems in benefiting learners across the continent. Learners in West African nations, situated at the bottom of the Human Capital Index (HCI) scale, face significant challenges exacerbated by global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and regional conflicts. 

With nearly 750 million children expected to reach school age by 20601, West African governments are under pressure to provide inclusive, high-quality education environments. Sustained investment in accessible education, especially for marginalized communities, is essential to meet this growing demand. 

Initiatives like Homegrown School Feeding (HGSF) play a vital role in supporting learners by addressing nutrition needs and promoting school attendance. Studies show the transformative impact of education on learners' lives, with each additional year correlating to a 10% increase in household income and nutrition programs like school meals contributing to economic growth.