Local, equitable, and sustainable solutions for child malnutrition in africa

LESS MALNUTRITION (Local, Equitable, and Sustainable Solutions for child MALNUTRITION in Africa) is a multi-country, multi-actor project that aims to transform the management of acute childhood malnutrition in Africa. The project focuses on scaling up the local production of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods (RUSF) using nutrient-rich and culturally appropriate ingredients sourced from diverse African agroecological zones.Millions of children across Africa still suffer from acute malnutrition, yet most therapeutic foods are imported, donor-dependent, and ill-suited to local food systems. LESS MALNUTRITION addresses this challenge by building decentralized, climate-smart food systems that deliver Codex- and WHO-compliant RUTF and RUSF formulated from locally available crops like soy and chickpea. By empowering African producers, manufacturers, regulators, and policymakers, the project aims to improve RUTF/RUSF supply chains, lower cost, and promote local ownership of nutrition solutions.Structured around four integrated pillars—(1) Ingredient and supply chain mapping, (2) Food product formulation and processing, (3) Clinical pilot trial, and (4) Policy and systems integration—the project brings together partners from Africa and Europe, including NGOs, universities, national agencies, and private manufacturers.LESS MALNUTRITION is not just about product development; it’s a systems-level intervention designed to spark innovation, support inclusive local economies, build regulatory capacity, and inform national and global policies. Through digital tools, training, and co-creation with stakeholders, the project aims to ensure long-term, sustainable access to life-saving nutritional interventions—leaving no child behind.