Rwanda: Primed to Accelerate the Reduction of Malnutrition in Rwanda

In my 40 years of working on malnutrition reduction around the world I have rarely seen more promising conditions for rapid malnutrition reduction than in Rwanda, right now.

Consider the following.

First, Rwanda’s malnutrition levels, assessed using stunting rates of children under 5 is already declining at a very respectable rate of one percentage point per year. So, the infrastructure to reduce malnutrition is already in place.

Second, President Paul Kagame has shown great vision and commitment to end malnutrition in Rwanda. He knows that child growth and economic growth go hand in hand. Such commitment from the very top is priceless, but it needs to be operationalized.

Third, more than in nearly any other country I have worked in, the Rwandan government takes data and evidence seriously. In all the conversations I have had with government officials they continuously ask me about what the research says. It is refreshing but perhaps not too surprising given that so many of them are subject matter experts with relevant research qualifications. It matters because there are choices in malnutrition reduction and their effectiveness differs by context—the choices must be evidence driven.

Fourth, there is an entrepreneurial spirit of experimentation, course correction and considered risk taking that is vital to malnutrition reduction. This is reflected in Rwanda’s high rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index – the best in Africa. It is important for nutrition as SMEs in the food system are vital for making nutritious and safe food more available, affordable, and desirable.

Fifth, Rwanda’s gender equality scores are one of the best in Africa and beyond. This is so important for nutrition for a whole range of biological, social, and economic reasons.

Finally, in line with this spirit of entrepreneurship, enabled by a well-functioning government, economic growth is strong. Economic growth is not necessary or sufficient for reducing malnutrition but it is incredibly helpful, especially when relatively broad based as in Rwanda. It allows families better access to clean water and sanitation, health care and nutritious and safe food.

Given this fertile ground, what needs to be done to accelerate malnutrition reduction by a factor of 2-3? In other words, how do we get from stunting rates of 33% in 2022 to rates below 20% by 2027?

First, we should ask, is this actually possible? It does not happen very often, but the answer is yes, it is possible. For example, between 2006 and 2012 in the Indian state of Maharashtra, with a population over 100 million, the stunting rate among children under two years of age declined from 39% to 24%. Maharashtra did this by elevating nutrition in the consciousness of the population, policymakers, development partners and entrepreneurs and by coordinating and intensifying efforts to reduce malnutrition.