Nutrition Conversations Africa

3rd September, 2022

NCAfrica provides a platform for exchange of best practices and how the nutrition SMEs can influence and benefit the commitment by African countries to double agricultural productivity and the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate among other related factors. NCAfrica held a webinar themed “How Nutritious Food SMEs can leverage on the African Continental Free Trade Area” on the 14^th of July, 2021. Among the panelist are:

Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, The Global Alliance for Imporved Nutrition (GAIN)
Dr. Agnes Kalibata, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for 2021 Food System Summit
Ms. Leah Kaguara, Country Director, Kenya, The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
Dr. Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture and Agro-Industry, African Development Bank (AfDB)
Uduak Igbeka, Africa Regional Manager, Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN), The Global Alliance for Imporved Nutrition (GAIN)
Khadija M. Churchill, Founder & CEO, Kwanza Tukufe Foods Limited
Pilona Chongo, Chairwoman, ANFIP CTA-Mozambique

A Live Twitter Chat session on “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” was organized in commemoration of 2021’s International Youth Day. Maureen Muketha, Act4FoodGlobal Youth Leader, discussed the role of youth in innovation and planetary health for better.

NCAfrica and GAIN explored the Outcomes from the 2021 UN Summit: What does it means for Africa’s Nutrition Stability? The themed webinar was scheduled for the 28th of September, 2021, which involved the different opportunities and critical pathways towards stability of Africa’s food systems as identified at the UNFSS 2021.

Among the speakers are:

Dr. Michael Ojo, Country Director, GAIN, Nigeria
Ms. Joyce Akpata, Head of Policy & Advocacy, GAIN, Nigeria
Mr. Obey Nkya, Senior Advisor, Food Systems Transformation, GAIN, Tanzania
Ms. Diya Dessai, Influencing & Advocacy Manager, GAIN, Mozambique
Mr. Charles Opiyo, Policy and Influencing Manager, GAIN, Kenya
Ms. Aster Zewdie, Senior Policy Advisor, GAIN, Ethiopia

An Instagram Live session and Twitter Chat on “The Role of Youths in Bettering Nutrition Across Africa” on the 27th of January, 2022. The speaker: Public Health Nutritionist Adejoke Adewusi, shared her knowledge on the ways youths can contribute to improve the African Nutrition Landscape.

NCAfrica organized a webinar themed “Setting the Scene: Nutrition Outlook 2022” on Wednesday, 2nd of February, 2022. Among the panelists are: Toyin Onigbanjo, Founder/CEO, August Secrets, Donald Mavindidze, Regional Director, Africa HarvestPlus, and Charles Opiyo, Influencing and Advocacy Manager, GAIN, Kenya. The webinar focused on the nutrition priority areas which Africans can focus on, in addition to strategies for sustainability of the lessons shared at the Food Systems Summit.

NCAfrica hosted Ivy Ibiso King-Harry, National coordinator, SUN Business Network, Abuja to discuss the theme “Breaking the Bias: Empoering Women for a Sustainable Future” through Twitter Space Session on the 24th of March, 2022.

NCAfrica embarked on the search for volunteers from Sub-Saharan African Countries with passion for the state of nutrition in their home countries, to be recognized as Country Nutrition Champions. Applicants were required to submit their CV/Resume along with a Cover Letter.

NCAfrica hosted a webinar themed “Food Safety in Africa: Sustainable Solutions and Strategies” on Wednesday, 27th of April, 2022. Among the panelists are seasoned experts in the field of food safety, willing and ready to disseminate knowledge to the participants of the webinar. The panelists are: Jane Omojokun, MD, Nugata Consults Ltd, Prof. Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, Founder/Executive Director, Consumer Advocaacy for Food Safety Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI), Jacqueline Khanali Njonjo, Africa Lead for Food Safety Program at IFC, and Dr. Augustine Okoruwa, Head of EatSafe Country Programs, GAIN

NCAfrica hosted a webinar themed “Nutrition in Children: A Critical factor for Africa’s Future” to commemorate the Children’s Day in Nigeria, on the 27th of May, 2022. African children are known to be the future of the continent and their health are important for the continued development all across Africa. Hence, the need for the focus on shielding children from malnutrition.

Among the panelists are:

Ms. Vera Osei-Bonsu, Founder/CEO, Startright Nutrition Ltd
Ms. Seun Sangoleye, Founder/CEO, Baby Grubz
Ms. Hope Ikani, Project Corodinator, Eggs Make Kids Project, Wandieville
Ms Mboka Mwanitu, Founder and Chair, ONA Foundation (Championing LisheYangu Initiative in Schools)

To commemorate World SME Day, NCAfrica in partnership with SUN Business Network hosted a webinar themed “Pitch Ready – How to Sell Your Nutritious Porducts and Services” on the 6^th of July, 2022. The webinar focused on the best possible positions SMEs need to attract donors along with tips for successful pitching and donor support available to nutrition SMEs.

Among the panelist are:

Amanda Namayi, GoGettaz Lead – Generation Africa, AGRA
Manasseh Miruka, Cluster Lead, Nutrition Enterprise Unit, GAIN
Beryl Oyier, BopInc, East Africa, MD
Mumbi Maina, Agribusiness Dealroom Lead, AGRA

In honor of the World Breastfeeding Week, NCAfrica hosted an Instagram Live Session themed “Breastfeeding and Support to Mothers” on the 3rd of August, 2022. Among the panelists are: Tutu Balogun, Founder Mums Corner and Millicent Otchere, Registered Nutritionist, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

NCAfrica hosted a webinar in honor of the International Youth Day on the theme “Building Robust Youth Enagagement for Sustainable Food Systems” on the 17th of August, 2022. The webinar focused on shedding light for creating sustainable food systems and shared ideas on how African youths can be engaged and empowered to take charge of the future in food systems. Among the panelist are: Azeez Salawu, Core Group Leader, Act4Food Act4Change, Nigeria, Jayne Arinze-Egemonye, NCAfrica Nigeria Nutrition Champion, and Joseph Gaithuma, NCAfrica Kenya Nutrition Champion.