King Letsie III Calls for Urgent Action to Transform Africa’s Food Systems and Tackle Malnutrition

King Letsie III of Lesotho, in his capacity as the African Union Nutrition Champion, has issued a powerful call for stronger investment, collaboration, and leadership to end malnutrition and transform Africa’s food systems. His virtual keynote address was delivered during the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit, where global leaders gathered to chart the way forward for sustainable and equitable food systems.

In his speech, His Majesty highlighted the urgent need to direct resources and attention to the “last mile” — rural communities where vulnerability to malnutrition is highest and access to services is often weakest. He emphasized that Africa cannot end hunger or malnutrition without prioritizing these regions in national and continental strategies.

“Our vision of a food-secure Africa cannot be realised without targeted investment where it matters most — in our villages, among smallholder farmers, and within communities battling both poverty and climate challenges,” said King Letsie III.

The monarch stressed the need for climate-resilient agriculture, pointing out that the increasing impacts of climate change continue to threaten food production and nutrition outcomes. He underscored the importance of supporting smallholder farmers—who produce most of Africa’s food—with training, tools, access to markets, and financial services to help them withstand environmental shocks and feed the continent sustainably.

King Letsie III also called for mobilizing private sector financing to support nutrition-focused initiatives. This includes encouraging local banks and institutions to provide loans in local currencies, which would enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in nutrition and agriculture to scale up their operations.

“Africa’s transformation depends on our ability to make nutrition financing accessible and practical,” he said. “We need to unlock local capital, encourage innovation, and build ecosystems that support nutrition at every stage of life.”

The King introduced the idea of a “womb-to-tomb” approach—an inclusive nutrition strategy that supports individuals throughout their entire lives, from infancy through childhood, adulthood, and into old age. This holistic approach, he argued, is crucial for breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and achieving long-term development goals.

He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for nutrition as a top policy priority across the African continent and called on governments, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to join forces.

“As Nutrition Champion, I will continue to raise my voice to ensure that nutrition is not forgotten, that it remains at the heart of Africa’s agenda,” he said. “We must act boldly, invest smartly, and lead with compassion.”

The summit provided an opportunity for world leaders to reflect on the progress made and challenges ahead in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to zero hunger, good health and well-being, and climate action. King Letsie III’s speech added weight to Africa’s position, reminding the world that nutrition is not just a development issue but a foundation for prosperity and peace.

With his continued advocacy, King Letsie III remains a critical voice in Africa’s efforts to build food systems that are inclusive, resilient, and capable of nourishing every citizen—regardless of where they live or how much they earn.