On February 14, 2025, the African Union (AU), in partnership with the Kingdom of Lesotho and key global partners, hosted a high-level side event titled “From Policy to Action: Towards a Common Position to Address Malnutrition in Africa” during the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event aimed to galvanize the continent’s political leadership to address the persistent malnutrition crisis across Africa and set the stage for a unified approach at the upcoming Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris.
The event was marked by powerful keynote speeches from H.E. Sam Matekane, Prime Minister, the Kingdom of Lesotho on behalf of His Majesty King Letsie III (AU Nutrition Champion), H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, H.E Alassane Ouattara, President of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, Co-host of the 2025 N4G Summit, Dr. Beth Dunford, African Development Bank President Vice President for Agriculture-Human and Social Development and Mr. Joel Spicer, President and CEO of Nutrition International, all of whom emphasized the urgency of securing stronger political will, increased investments, and multi-sectoral collaboration to combat malnutrition. A key focus was on the need for innovative financing mechanisms and enhancing policy frameworks to ensure that nutrition interventions are adequately supported and implemented at the national level.
Notably, the launch of the Strategic Framework for Anaemia Prevention in Africa during the event underscored the AU’s commitment to tackling one of the most pressing nutritional issues on the continent. The Framework offers a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to reducing anaemia, which affects millions across Africa, especially women and children.
The event also provided a platform for the African Leaders for Nutrition (ALN) initiative to reaffirm its role in advocating for nutrition-sensitive investments, aligning with the continent’s broader socio-economic development agenda, including the AU’s Agenda 2063.
Looking ahead, the event concluded with a renewed call for African leaders to make bold, actionable commitments at the N4G Summit in March 2025. The African Union Commission is committed to operationalising its continental strategies and mobilising both domestic and international resources to improve nutrition outcomes across the continent, thereby enhancing the human capital and economic potential of African nations.
Media Advisory – https://au.int/en/newsevents/20250214/high-level-side-event-malnutrition-and-nutrition-commitments-africa