Africa’s food currently fortified to address malnutrition

Dangote Industries Ltd pledges commitment towards Africa’s continued growth through fortifying it’s processed foods with essential nutrients to address malnutrition.

Africa according to Aliko Dangote (President, Dangote Industries Ltd) is projected to have the world’s largest workforce by 2030. This abundance of human resources can be seen as a blessing or a curse, depending on the decisions we make today.  According to Mr. Dangote, “we need to invest in their health and wellbeing, and perhaps most critically, in their ability to learn and apply new skills in an ever-changing global economy”

The investment today will drive Africa’s economic progress tomorrow, and allow its adults to thrive without being hindered by malnutrition. Poor nutrition can limit the workforce mentally and physically, thereby acting as a determining factor that impends full economic productivity.

The importance of addressing Africa’s future problems is being shared amongst numerous organisations like Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, who are currently investing in educating food processors in Nigeria, Tanzania and Kenya to produce and sell fortified food in their local market. The Dangote Foundation has followed suit by pledge a five-year, US$50 million programme to address acute malnutrition in households. He further called on corporate CEOs to engaging in the building of the mind and body of the next generation.

Fortification is the equipping of staple foods like maize and wheat flour, cooking oil, rice, milk, salt, sugar, and others with essential vitamins and minerals.