In a groundbreaking move to confront Africa’s growing nutrition crisis, the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) has announced the establishment of the continent’s first Centre of Excellence for Nutrition Research in Arusha, Tanzania. The announcement was made during the 39th Tanzania Food Fortification Alliance (TFFA) Meeting held from July 22–23, 2025.
The new centre is set to become a regional hub for nutrition science, policy formulation, and workforce development. According to ECSA-HC Director General Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, the Arusha-based facility will drive cutting-edge research while training nutrition professionals through a dedicated Regional Nutrition College and Institute of Public Health and Nutrition Communication.
Africa is grappling with a “triple burden” of malnutrition — including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and a rapid rise in non-communicable, diet-related diseases. Dr. Kapologwe warned that without coordinated regional action, these challenges threaten to derail the continent’s development ambitions.
“In countries like Tanzania, the proportion of overweight women of reproductive age has doubled — from 18% to 36% — even as anaemia and child wasting persist. This touches every demographic,” he noted.
Beyond research, the centre will serve as a policy think tank and provide technical training to enable evidence-informed decision-making across East, Central, and Southern Africa. It will work closely with national governments, civil society, and international agencies to promote food fortification and regulatory enforcement.
TFFA Co-Chair Gwao Omari Gwao reiterated the urgency of improving compliance with fortification standards for staples such as maize and wheat flour, edible oils, and iodised salt, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises.
UNICEF nutrition specialist Joyce Ngeba emphasised the global stakes: “Nearly two-thirds of women of reproductive age worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Tackling this through food fortification is a local and global imperative.”
Expected to attract both continental and international partners, the Arusha Centre could transform Africa’s approach to nutrition, offering homegrown solutions rooted in research, policy, and practice — at a time when the continent can least afford to look away.
Article by RB Reporter
Photo/Google
Comment