Maternal malnutrition remains a major driver of poor pregnancy and newborn outcomes across sub‑Saharan Africa. Despite long‑standing reliance on iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS), coverage and adherence remain inadequate, and rates of low birthweight, small‑for‑gestational‑age newborns, maternal anaemia and child stunting remain high.
Nurture the ecosystem, Optimise the market, Unlock financing, Reinforce ANC platforms, Integrate and Scale MMS and Calcium for Healthy Futures (NOURISH)
Accelerating access to maternal micronutrient supplementation across Africa
2025-2030
Across Africa, governments are prioritizing maternal nutrition within national health priorities and strengthening antenatal care as part of broader health system reforms. Led by Nutrition International, the NOURISH project (Nurture the ecosystem, Optimise the market, Unlock financing, Reinforce ANC platforms, Integrate and Scale MMS and Calcium for Healthy Futures) brings together partners in a multi-country initiative that supports governments to adopt and scale up maternal micronutrient supplementation (MMS) and establish a foundation for the introduction of calcium supplementation.
The need
Maternal malnutrition continues to drive poor pregnancy and newborn outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa.
Our solution
Accelerating government-led adoption and scale-up of maternal micronutrient supplementation.
Calcium
Multiple Micronutrient Supplements
Across Africa, governments are strengthening maternal nutrition and antenatal care within national health priorities and broader health system improvements. Supported by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), NOURISH aligns with governments that are already planning to transition from IFAS to MMS in scaling and sustaining MMS, accelerating these efforts by aligning partners, financing and market approaches behind national plans, helping ensure pregnant women can reliably access proven interventions through strengthening routine services.
NOURISH will support governments to accelerate the adoption and scale-up of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) in eight countries, beginning with Ethiopia and Rwanda. Antenatal MMS, a daily dose of 15 vitamins and minerals, is as effective as IFAS in preventing maternal anaemia and more effective at improving birth outcomes. It reduces the risk of preterm birth, low birthweight and stillbirth, providing one of the highest returns on investment of any nutrition intervention.
The impact
Reaching millions of women with proven, high-return maternal nutrition interventions.
Over its five years, NOURISH aims to reach at least 4 million women directly. By the end of the project, at least eight countries will have taken MMS to scale, and two will have established the foundation for introducing and scaling maternal calcium supplementation. Additional anticipated impacts include: Reduced cost and improved availability of MMS, through aggregated demand; sustainable financing for MMS scale-up; optimization of the antenatal care platforms to deliver MMS; establishing an enabling environment that strengthens regional accountability platforms and supports coordinated advocacy for MMS; supporting healthy MMS market in Africa, through regional/local manufacturing. NOURISH reflects a collective commitment by governments, philanthropic partners and implementing organizations to new ways of working together: strengthening health systems, improving maternal and newborn outcomes, and securing healthier beginnings for women and babies across Africa.