Global partners launch $54m effort to boost maternal nutrition in Africa

A new multi-country initiative aimed at improving maternal health and nutrition across Africa has been launched with an initial investment of $54 million from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).

The programme, named NOURISH, was unveiled in Addis Ababa during the African Union Summit and is being led by Nutrition International in partnership with UNICEF, Sight and Life and several African governments.

NOURISH aims to strengthen antenatal care systems and expand access to essential micronutrients for pregnant women across the continent. The initiative will initially focus on eight countries, beginning with Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Health experts say improved maternal nutrition is critical in sub-Saharan Africa, where about one in three pregnant women suffers from anaemia and low birthweight remains a leading cause of newborn deaths.

By aligning financing, technical expertise and service delivery behind national health plans, the programme seeks to reach at least four million women directly by 2030 while strengthening health services for millions more.