School meals in Togo

When a school lunch changes lives

In wealthy countries, a hot meal sometimes only determines one’s mood. In Togo, West Africa, a hot meal often decides the next day of school. It not only satisfies hunger but also makes learning possible. For many children in the small, narrow country between Ghana and Benin, school lunch is the only nutritious meal of the day. A meal that stands for focus, health and the opportunity for a better future.

Togo is one of the poorest countries in the world despite progress in economic growth, investment climate and access to education. About a quarter of the population lives on less than USD 2.15 per day. Of these 25 per cent, around 20 per cent are chronically malnourished. In rural areas in the north, many families rely on small-scale agriculture, which is typically dependent on rain. A risk in times of increasing droughts due to climate change. The situation is exacerbated by a lack of safe drinking water due to insufficient infrastructure and groundwater contamination from wastewater and pesticides, compounded by poor sanitation and weak healthcare systems. Additionally, displacement – primarily of refugees from Burkina Faso and internally displaced persons within Togo’s north – places further strain on the hosting communities’ support systems. These challenges are especially apparent among children. One in five children under the age of five suffers from stunted growth, and many attend school irregularly or drop out of school early.

Perspective through helping a young generation

At the same time, in Togo, as in many parts of West Africa, the chance of change is growing through an above-average young population; more than 60 per cent are under the age of 25. Education is the critical key to breaking the cycle of poverty. However, hunger stands as a formidable barrier to learning.

This is where the Togolese Government’s integrated school meals programme comes in, which is funded by KfW on behalf of and with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP). It combines school meals with nutrition education and local value creation.

In 141 public primary schools, almost 45,000 children, more than half of whom are girls, will receive healthy meals prepared fresh every day. To support this, school kitchens, school gardens, and small grain mills are being established near the schools. Most of the ingredients come from local agricultural producers and women’s cooperatives. This creates short supply chains and strengthens local smallholder production. A structural, self-reinforcing cycle that revitalizes village economies, guarantees income, and secures nutrition while specifically empowering women and girls.

The project counteracts the existing disadvantages faced by women and girls by relieving mothers of financial and working time constraints, supporting income-generating activities of women’s cooperatives and enabling girls to attend school disproportionately.