The private agri-businesses play a pivotal role in addressing malnutrition across the world, including in Benin. Precisely so as the nutritional situation in Benin looks stark for children under 5, women aged 15 to 49, and adolescents. Chronic malnutrition remains a major problem, as at least one in three children under five suffer from stunting (growing too short for their age). In addition, wasting, with their weight too low for their age, and underweight remain a concern, affecting 8.3% and 21% of children under 5 respectively[1]. Among women aged 15-49, 11% are underweight.[2]
Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly anaemia and vitamin A deficiency, persist among children and women. Three out of four children suffer from anaemia, while one in three from vitamin A deficiency. While one in two women suffer from anaemia. obesity[3] is rising, impacting approximately 26% of women aged 15 to 49. This increasing trend in obesity also affects young people, especially women. As of 2021, Benin ranks 166th out of 191 countries in the Human Development Index, highlighting untapped development potential.
Francoise Sayi, GAIN Country Director in Benin stresses that “the current nutrition context in Benin calls for innovative solutions that bring together all the players and stakeholders in the food industry for increasing the availability and accessibility of safe and nutritious food for low-income consumers.”
Therefore, to further accelerate the reduction of malnutrition in the country, the government of Benin, alongside partners like the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and CARE through the CAtalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for heAlthy Diets and resiliencE (CASCADE) project, officially launched Benin's SUN Business Network (SBN). And unveiled its 2024-2029 strategy paper, as part of its commitment to combating malnutrition and food insecurity in the country.
SBN is a global initiative that mobilises the private sector to tackle malnutrition by promoting inclusive and sustainable food systems that provide healthy and nutritious food to populations worldwide. This initiative aims to foster active participation in national wealth creation and sustainable development and provide tailored technical and financial support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
According to the SBN National Coordinator, Aubierge Flenon, “the network is poised to establish an effective coordination of all actors, especially the private sector particularly those led by youth and women to advocate and create a business-friendly environment to sustainably produce healthy and nutritious food, with a focus on vulnerable groups.”
The network is active in 17 countries with over 1,600 members in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In Benin, the SUN Business Network will work together with the SUN Focal point, ANAN (Agence Nationale de l’Alimentation et de la Nutrition and the SUN Civil Society – ASCINB (Alliance de la Société Civile pour l’Intensification de la Nutrition au Bénin) and the other bodies as the UN Nutrition and SUN Donors, SUN Researcher.
“The launch of SBN Benin marks a pivotal moment in reshaping the country's food landscape and improving the nutritional status of its people. All stakeholders engaged in nutrition and food security in Benin are invited to commit to implementing the strategic plan of SBN” said Emilie Tiboute, Deputy Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
In Benin, the launch of SBN and its strategic framework for 2024-2029 is supported under the CASCADE Project, implemented by the CARE and GAIN consortium, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to implement initiatives to increase demand for nutritious products.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Joris Jurriëns recalled the mission of the project, Catalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for heAlthy Diet and resiliencE (CASCADE), which is to "strengthen the implementation of existing national nutrition policies so that children and women of childbearing age in households facing malnutrition can have a healthy and nutritious diet".
By 2029, SBN Benin envisions a private sector initiative that significantly reduces all forms of malnutrition, ensuring optimal health and nutrition for all Beninese. Dr. Chabi Eriolla Fulberte, from the National Food and Nutrition Agency, (ANAN) stated that, “SBN’s actions will contribute to strengthening the human capital and extend the life expectancy of the Benin population through the consumption of quality nutritious food.”
The new baby born, the Benin SUN Business Network with GAIN support has also open a call for partnership to conduct a one-year activity, the Fortify Forward Innovation Challenge which will help businesses in Benin and Nigeria to improve solutions around fortification of foods.
For further information, please contact: Epiphane Adjadji, at eadjadji@gainhealth.org
About SBN
Established in 2012 and co-convened by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), SBN shares its vision with the overall SUN movement; By 2030, a world free of all forms of malnutrition. As the only dedicated platform that convenes the private sector around nutrition across SUN countries, the SBN’s overall vision is to reduce malnutrition in all its forms by bringing together the private sector, government, and other stakeholders to take joint, practical actions to accelerate private sector contributions to improved nutrition. www.sunbusinessnetwork.org
About CASCADE
The CASCADE project (CAtalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for heAlthy Diets and resiliencE) is a multi-country project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented by the CARE and GAIN consortium in six countries, namely Benin, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Mozambique. In Benin, CASCADE is being implemented by CARE Benin-Togo and GAIN Benin in twenty (20) communes in six (6) departments (Alibori, Atacora, Borgou, Zou, Ouémé and Couffo). The general aim of the project is to strengthen the effectiveness of existing national nutrition policies with a view to improving food security and helping to reduce malnutrition among women of malnutrition among women of childbearing age and children CASCADE: Overview | LinkedIn
About CARE
CARE International is a 78-year-old global confederation fighting poverty and social injustice around the world, with a focus on empowering women and girls. CARE International works side by side with communities to understand the root causes of poverty and find innovative, local solutions. CARE seeks to demonstrate the results and methodologies used in its projects to ensure transparency and accountability and to improve the quality of its work. www.care.org
About GAIN
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is an international foundation based in Switzerland, established in 2002 under the auspices of the United Nations. GAIN collaborates with governments, the private sector, and civil society to combat malnutrition through innovative food system transformations, ensuring universal access to safe and nutritious food for healthier diets for all.www.gainhealth.org
[1] INSTAD and UNICEF (2023), Enquête par grappes à indicateurs multiples 2021-2022, Bénin
[2] Enquête par grappes à indicateurs multiples 2021-2022, 2023 INSTAD and UNICEF, Bénin
[3] Enquête par grappes à indicateurs multiples 2021-2022, 2023 INSTAD and UNICEF, Bénin