Africa’s potential for human capital development and economic growth is severely threatened by insufficient progress in improving maternal and Early Childhood Nutrition Development (ECND). Malnutrition robs children of their future and disrupts national productivity and economies. Chronic malnutrition, measured as stunting, and lack of early stimulation in the first 2,000 days (from conception to five years), and anemia in women of reproductive age severely disrupt learning outcomes, reduce educational attainment, lower adult incomes and productivity, and perpetuate poverty.

The AFW Region faces a high burden of malnutrition with an estimated 32.5% of children stunted and an estimated 65 million women of reproductive age with anemia. While the prevalence of stunting declined from 40.3% in 2000 to 32.5% in 2024, progress is far too slow. Based on these trends, the region will not reach the Global Nutrition Targets for reducing stunting by 40% by 2030. Sub-Saharan Africa is also the only region to see a rise in number of stunted children from 22.8 million in 2000 to 31.6 million in 2024, largely due to persistently high fertility rates. Over 30% of children don’t have access to preschool, only four out of 24 countries in AFW have set up mandatory preschool, and only 57% of children are on track for development. In addition, the number of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) with anemia increased from 42 million in 2000 to 65 million in 2019. Overall, no country in AFW is projected to reach their Global Targets for Nutrition, including reducing stunting and anemia prevalence by 2030. This has severe implications on gender equality, productivity, and the potential for women to be equal contributors to job markets and economic growth.