Ivory Coast increases school meal budget to $86 million
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In Côte d'Ivoire, Minister of National Education, Literacy and Technical Education N’Guessan Koffi recently attended a ceremony recognizing people involved in school meals and announced a large increase in funding for the program.
In 2024, the budget stood at approximately 3.35 billion CFA francs, but it will reach 12.39 billion CFA francs for 2026. The minister stated the government intends to expand coverage and improve the consistency of meals, focusing on regions with the greatest need.
The school meal program currently supports over one million students across 5,600 schools with support from both national and international partners. Olivia Hantz, Country Director for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Côte d'Ivoire, explained that school meals are a strategic investment in children’s education, health, and nutrition, as well as a boost to the rural economy. Local farming groups supply fresh produce to the school cafeterias.
Jérôme Kobon Ayékoé, Director of School Canteens, reported that these groups, communities, NGOs, and businesses provided 1,500 tons of food to 2,910 canteens.
