Record investment: Why the Sonko government is making nutrition its new economic weapon

Long confined to health policies alone, nutrition is now emerging as a central driver of development, at the heart of Senegal's economic and social decisions. During the last Council of Ministers meeting, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko placed this issue at the forefront of public priorities. He offered a clear-eyed assessment of the progress made, but also of the persistent weaknesses, particularly in terms of financing and multisectoral coordination. By repositioning the debate in this way, the government is moving beyond a strictly health-based approach to integrate nutrition into a framework of structural transformation.

The CNDN: a system managed by the Prime Minister's Office

Senegal has gradually developed a robust institutional framework. The transformation of the Unit for Combating Malnutrition into the National Nutrition Development Council (CNDN), placed under the direct authority of the Prime Minister, reflects high-level political support. This structure is based on the Multisectoral Strategic Nutrition Plan (PSMN 2024-2028) and already involves some twenty ministries. This configuration underscores the decidedly cross-cutting nature of nutrition, situated at the intersection of health, education, agriculture, and social protection policies.

The efforts undertaken over the past two decades have led to significant progress, illustrated by the decline in stunting among children under five. However, this positive trend coexists with a "double nutritional burden": persistent undernutrition coupled with a rapid increase in overweight and obesity, particularly among women. This nutritional transition, linked to urbanization and changes in food systems, necessitates an adaptation of public strategies towards greater emphasis on prevention and education.

The economic cost of an underestimated challenge

Beyond its health implications, malnutrition is a major economic obstacle. In Senegal, its annual cost is estimated at $856 million**, or approximately 3.2% of Gross National Income. These losses translate into decreased productivity and increased pressure on the healthcare system. Investing in nutrition therefore appears to be one of the most profitable choices: every franc invested generates a significant return on human capital and long-term growth.

The shift towards financial sovereignty

Nutrition funding remains heavily reliant on external resources. Between 2020 and 2024, a significant portion of funding came from international partners. Faced with a recent decline in this support, the government has expressed its commitment to strengthening financial sovereignty through a National Domestic Financing Strategy. The objective is to mobilize more domestic resources, involve local authorities, and encourage private sector investment, particularly through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Towards data-driven governance

The issue of operational governance remains central. To address the lack of visibility, the implementation of an integrated digital platform was discussed at the Council of Ministers meeting. This tool should enable better information flow and decision-making based on up-to-date data. At the same time, strengthening food safety controls around schools and integrating nutrition into educational programs are essential levers for sustaining these efforts.

By placing nutrition at the heart of public policy, the Senegalese government is laying the groundwork for a strategic repositioning aimed at sustainably strengthening human capital. In a context of dwindling external funding, the ability to mobilize domestic resources will be the decisive test of this new development trajectory.