AfDB project task managers learn how to design nutrition smart investments

Alongside the African Development Bank (AfDB), Big Win Philanthropy and Aliko Dangote Foundation conducted a training program designed to equip task managers from different sectors of the bank – including health, social protection, WASH and agriculture – to design, implement and track nutrition smart investments. This is part of AfDB’s commitment to harness ‘grey matter infrastructure,’ an approach that seeks to improve cognitive development through nutrition and harness human and economic potential across Africa.

The training program centered around the Bank’s new Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan, which aims to reduce stunting by 40% amongst African children under five years old by 2025. Through its new Action Plan, the AfDB has committed to scaling up its investments that are nutrition smart across a broad range of sectors. It has also announced an ambitious target of investing at least 50% of its agriculture and health portfolios in nutrition smart investments by 2025.

As part of the program, AfDB task managers from nine countries received training on the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Toolkit, which is a rich source of information and best practice guidance. Participants learned how to integrate nutrition into country strategy papers and different sector projects. They also reflected on the importance of good nutrition in the workplace, including support for colleagues who might be breastfeeding.

The program consisted of two sessions, the first hosted at the Bank’s East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office in Nairobi, Kenya and the second hosted at the Bank’s Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office in Centurion, South Africa. Along with AfDB staff, a number of external partners including the World Food Programme, Action Contre la Faim, WaterAid, International Center for Tropical Agriculture, and HarvestPlus participated in the two sessions of the training program.

AfDB task managers who participated in the training program have become nutrition champions, not only because of their new technical knowledge, but the enthusiasm they demonstrated. One participant said, “this is the most beneficial training we have ever received in the Bank.” Another participant commented on the fact that the Bank was now moving beyond just high-level nutrition advocacy, noting that, “advocacy is good but not enough, we need to see real change on the ground and governments are requesting for the AfDB’s support.”

For further information about the AfDB’s Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Operational Toolkit, please download the materials provided below or visit the African Leaders for Nutrition webpage. The toolkit was developed as part of the Banking on Nutrition partnership, with technical assistance from Nutrition International.

Downloads:

A Snapshot of Food Security and Nutrition in Africa

Integrating Nutrition into AfDB Country Strategy Papers (CSPs)

Integrating Nutrition into the AfDB Project Cycle

AfDB Sector Brief – Agriculture and Nutrition

AfDB Sector Brief – Health and Nutrition

AfDB Sector Brief – Higher Education and Nutrition

AfDB Sector Brief – Social Protection and Nutrition

AfDB Sector Brief – WASH and Nutrition

AfDB Nutrition Marker and Project Checklist

Guidance on Integrating Nutrition into AfDB Investments