The 10th edition of the African Day of School Feeding (ADSF) was commemorated with a special field visit to Bouboui School, 45 kilometers from Bangui, Central African Republic. H.E. Professor Mohammed Belhocine, African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI), joined H.E. Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic, in this visit, alongside H.E. Aurélien Simplice Zingas, Minister of State in charge of National Education, and other dignitaries and development partners.

The visit was a key highlight of the ADSF celebrations, reinforcing the African Union’s commitment to strengthening school feeding programs as a tool for enhancing education, nutrition, and economic empowerment. While the broader celebrations began on February 28, the official African Day of School Feeding is designated as March 1 by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, through Assembly Decision AU Assembly (589 XXVI).

The 2025 African Union Theme of the Year, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations" and "Reparations for Transatlantic Enslavement, Colonialism, and Apartheid," provided an important context for this year’s ADSF theme, "A Decade of Nourishment: Celebrating the Past, Securing a Just Future." Commissioner Belhocine emphasized that ensuring access to proper nutrition and education for all African children is essential to securing justice and equitable development across the continent. He highlighted the connection between education, historical injustices, and the urgent need for sustainable investments in human capital, stressing that school feeding programs are not merely an educational intervention but a fundamental right that supports inclusive social progress​

Prior to the visit, a ministerial session was held in Bangui, bringing together key stakeholders, including Ministers of Education from Burundi, Djibouti, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Moderated by Commissioner Belhocine, the session focused on assessing progress made in school feeding programs over the past decade, identifying challenges, and reinforcing commitments for the future. In his address, the Commissioner reaffirmed the African Union’s dedication to advancing school feeding as a cornerstone of human capital development. He emphasized the importance of policy integration, increased financing for homegrown school feeding initiatives, and strengthened collaboration between governments, development partners, and private sector stakeholders.

Following the ministerial session, the delegation traveled to Bouboui School, where they engaged with students, educators, and community members. The visit showcased the direct impact of school feeding programs in enhancing student retention, cognitive development, and academic performance. President Touadéra and Commissioner Belhocine toured classrooms, spoke with students benefiting from daily school meals, and participated in an exhibition of locally sourced agricultural products, demonstrating how homegrown school feeding programs support smallholder farmers and promote sustainable food systems. To further highlight the significance of the initiative, the delegation took part in the distribution of meals to children, reaffirming their commitment to expanding access to school feeding across the continent.

As the 10th African Day of School Feeding celebrations concluded, African leaders, policymakers, and development partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening school feeding as a fundamental investment in Africa’s future. Scaling up funding, integrating school feeding programs into national development strategies, and strengthening partnerships will remain key priorities in the coming years to ensure that millions of children across Africa continue to receive the nourishment and education they deserve.

For further information, please contact:

1. Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communications Directorate, AUC, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | E-mail: yamboue@africa-uinon.org , Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)
2. Ms Claudette Chancelle BILAMPASSI MOUTSATSI | ESTI Department- Pan African University | African Union Commission | E-mail: BilampassiC@africa-union.org  | Tel: +251 11 518 2014/ +251 11 5182518 |
3. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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