The West African Health Organization (WAHO), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, convened the first coordination meeting of the Regional Alliance for Food Fortification in Abuja on July 30-31, 2024.
This significant event brought together representatives from national alliances for food fortification across ECOWAS countries, along with key partners such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The meeting addressed the urgent issue of malnutrition in West Africa, where statistics reveal a severe crisis: approximately half of women of childbearing age are anemic, and one in three children under five suffers from stunted growth. Factors contributing to this crisis include monotonous diets, with 15% of the population undernourished and 78% of children under two lacking adequate dietary diversity.
Food fortification, the process of adding essential micronutrients to staple foods, has been identified as a vital strategy to combat these deficiencies. WAHO has been instrumental in promoting this approach, facilitating regional ministerial resolutions, and standardizing food regulations. The Regional Alliance for Food Fortification was launched in Cotonou in March 2024, signaling a renewed commitment to improving nutritional health in the region.
The objectives of the Abuja meeting included enhancing information exchange between national alliances and partners, reviewing recommendations from the Cotonou meeting, assessing progress and challenges in fortification activities, defining criteria for fortification champions, and developing a roadmap for the Regional Alliance for Food Fortification (RFF). Additionally, participants aimed to establish a monitoring plan and strategies for data collection on food fortification.
Fred Chiazor, Chairman of the National Fortification Alliance (NFA), welcomed attendees and highlighted Nigeria’s progress in addressing micronutrient deficiencies. “In Nigeria, we have witnessed significant advances in our fight against micronutrient deficiencies due to the collective efforts of all stakeholders involved in our fortification programs,” Chiazor stated. He detailed several achievements of the NFA, including the establishment of a robust regulatory framework for fortifying staple foods, successful advocacy for tariff reductions on vitamin A premixes, and expansion of the fortification program to include additional food items like bouillon and rice.
Chiazor also emphasized the importance of enhanced monitoring and compliance systems, noting improved collaboration with NAFDAC, SON, and the FCCPC. He highlighted the value of data-driven approaches, citing insights from the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS) 2024 as critical for guiding strategies and interventions.
“This meeting offers a valuable opportunity for regional partners to strengthen collaboration, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to fortification,” Chiazor concluded.
“We are confident that our discussions will significantly advance our collective mission of improving health outcomes through effective food fortification.”
WAHO and its partners are optimistic that the meeting will reinforce regional efforts to combat malnutrition and enhance the nutritional status of populations across West Africa.
