School Canteens: Côte d’Ivoire and WFP Strengthen Partnership to Feed More Students
The Ivorian government and the World Food Programme (WFP) aim to give new momentum to their cooperation in the field of school feeding. In this context, the Minister of National Education, Literacy, and Technical Education, N’Guessan Koffi, received a WFP delegation led by Olivia Hantz on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Tour B in Plateau.
This working meeting is part of the efforts to strengthen the partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and the UN agency, which have been promoting school canteens for several years. Key topics of discussion included expanding the school feeding program and ensuring the country meets its commitments under the Global School Feeding Coalition, which Côte d’Ivoire joined in 2023.
Faced with growing needs and the importance of ensuring students have regular access to nutritious meals at school, Minister N’Guessan Koffi called for increased partner mobilization. He emphasized the need to adopt a decentralized approach to better adapt programs to local realities.
In this context, the government official mentioned the implementation of a sustainable national school feeding policy, supported by a pilot experiment in one region. This approach is expected to identify the best management and funding strategies before scaling up nationwide.
The discussions also highlighted the crucial role of financing in ensuring the sustainability and expansion of school canteens in Côte d’Ivoire. Both parties agreed that it is not only a matter of maintaining existing achievements but also of expanding coverage so that more students, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas, can benefit from school meals.
Beyond basic food assistance, school canteens are an important tool for improving student attendance and academic performance. They also help reduce school dropout rates while promoting child nutrition and well-being.
The WFP delegation praised the efforts of the Ivorian government in this area and reaffirmed its commitment to support the authorities in consolidating and expanding the program. Both parties agreed to continue consultations to strengthen the financing and operational mechanisms for school canteens.
Through this renewed partnership, Côte d’Ivoire reaffirms its ambition to make school feeding a cornerstone of its educational and social policy, supporting student success and the development of human capital.
