KIGALI, RWANDA | 04-Sept-24 ― During the 2024 Africa Food Systems Conference Summit, hosted by the Government of Rwanda and the AFS Forum Partner’s group, the Fortified Whole Grain Alliance (FWGA) launched a new ambitious goal of reaching 10 million people across seven countries by 2025 with fortified whole grains (FWGs) solutions: Benin, Burundi, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda. A coalition of stakeholders from across the food system, FWGA is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), in collaboration with core, implementing, and institutional partners such as the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), DSM-Firmenich, Boston Consulting Group, and others. This latest effort advances the Alliance’s long-term vision of catalysing a significant shift in consumption patterns of FWGs to tackle global malnutrition and promote more sustainable food systems for people and the planet.

Measurable impact, lasting change

With active initiatives underway in Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi, focusing on fortified whole-grain maize, expansion plans included at least three West African nations (Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin) concentrating on parboiled unpolished rice and North Africa (Egypt), where efforts would focus on whole wheat flour. The FWGA also set a target of at least 50% of grain foods in institutional markets and 25% in consumer markets within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to be fortified whole grain by 2032.

Fortified whole grains: A sustainable solution

Shifting from refined grains to FWGs offers a multitude of benefits. They can significantly improve dietary quality without increasing production costs. Fortified whole grains offer six to seven times more nutritional value than their refined counterparts, providing higher protein, fibre, and essential micronutrients. In addition, this transition supports environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions as FWGs require less water, land, fertilisers, and pesticides.

Quotes from key speakers