Child malnutrition is one of Africa’s biggest health challenges: Food aid is only part of the solution

Gabriel Kanuti Ndimbo, University of Dar es Salaam and Chakupewa Joseph Mpambije, University of Dar es Salaam Malnutrition among children under five remains one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most persistent public health challenges. Countries and development partners have introduced numerous nutrition programmes. Yet millions of young children continue to suffer from poor nutrition. Drawing on our expertise in public health, nutrition and health systems research, we conducted a review of recent evidence about child malnutrition from across the sub-Saharan Africa region. The review examined 50 studies published between 2015 and 2025 that covered the forms of malnutrition and intervention strategies for children under the age of five. The research shows that malnutrition is a complex problem. It isn’t caused solely by a lack of food. Other influences are disease, poor sanitation, climate pressures, limited access to healthcare, gaps in caregiver knowledge, and socio-cultural and behavioural factors.