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December 19, 2025
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Story
African Union and Nutrition International strengthen partnership to accelerate nutrition security across Africa
A renewed memorandum of understanding between Nutrition International and the African Union deepens collaboration to advance nutrition security, support member states and move closer to a shared vision of ending hunger, poverty and malnutrition across Africa.
Posted on March 4, 2026
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA – The African Union (AU) and Nutrition International have signed a second memorandum of understanding (MoU), reaffirming their shared commitment to accelerate progress on nutrition security across Africa and tackle malnutrition in all its forms. Under the auspices of His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho and the AU Nutrition Champion, the MoU was signed in Addis Ababa on February 13th, 2026, by H.E. Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission, and Joel Spicer, President and CEO of Nutrition International.
“In today’s trying times, it encourages me when I see a global nutrition organization from Canada rally to Africa’s struggle to free itself from malnutrition,” said His Majesty King Letsie III. “The AU’s leadership on nutrition is essential and trusted partnerships, like this one, are equally vital.”
“Together with Nutrition International, we will work alongside our member states to turn commitments into measurable impact, advancing maternal, newborn, child and adolescent nutrition, mobilizing sustainable financing and ensuring that every African can thrive.
— H.E. Amb Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission
Under the new MoU, the African Union Commission and Nutrition International will collaborate on key areas, including developing and implementing AU nutrition policies, strategies and frameworks; strengthening governance and advocacy; promoting increased domestic and external investments in nutrition; and advancing maternal, newborn, and adolescent nutrition programs. They will also monitor member states’ progress in implementing the 2014 Malabo Declaration on nutrition security, helping to drive inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across Africa.
“Nutrition is the foundation of Africa’s health, education, productivity and economic growth,” said Joel Spicer, President and CEO, Nutrition International. “Building on the progress achieved through our first MoU with the AU, we are advancing our shared vision of a continent free from hunger and malnutrition, while supporting member states to deliver high-impact nutrition programs to their populations.”
The AU recognized Nutrition International for the successful implementation of the first MoU, signed in April 2022, noting the measurable progress made in advancing nutrition programs across the continent.
“Building on the progress achieved through our first MoU with the AU, we are advancing our shared vision of a continent free from hunger and malnutrition.
— Joel Spicer, President and CEO, Nutrition International
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, H.E. Amb Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission, emphasized the significance of the renewed collaboration. “This renewed memorandum of understanding deepens our shared commitment to placing nutrition at the heart of Africa’s human capital development. Together with Nutrition International, we will work alongside our member states to turn continental commitments into measurable impact, advancing maternal, newborn, child and adolescent nutrition, mobilizing sustainable financing and ensuring that every African can thrive, with no one left behind.”
The partnership will accelerate the achievement of global and regional nutrition commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Assembly targets and Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy, while further enhancing member states’ capacity through technical assistance to plan, finance, implement, and monitor evidence-based nutrition programs across Africa.
The MoU will be operationalized through a joint work plan that guides collaborative efforts to improve nutrition programs, strengthen member state capacities, and achieve measurable improvements in the health and wellbeing of communities across Africa. By working together, the AU and Nutrition International aim to speed up progress towards ending hunger and malnutrition, while promoting inclusive growth and resilience across the continent.
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