The African Nutrition Society (ANS), in collaboration with the Nutritionists Association of Namibia (NAN), is pleased to announce the 10th African Nutrition Conference (ANC X 2026), scheduled to take place in Windhoek, Namibia from 30 November – 04 December 2026.
Theme
Ending all forms of Hunger and Malnutrition in Africa: From Evidence to Impact
Background
Africa continues to face a complex and evolving nutrition landscape characterized by persistent undernutrition, increasing overweight and obesity, widespread micronutrient deficiencies, and a growing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Despite significant advances in nutrition research, policy development, and program implementation over the past decades, progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and other nutrition-related global targets remains uneven across the continent.
Emerging challenges including climate change, food insecurity, economic instability, urbanization, conflict, pandemics, and changing dietary patterns further threaten nutrition and health outcomes. At the same time, Africa possesses enormous opportunities through innovation, indigenous knowledge systems, strengthened governance, resilient food systems, and a growing nutrition workforce.
The 10th African Nutrition Congress (ANC X 2026) seeks to provide a platform for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, development partners, industry representatives, and communities to share evidence, experiences, and innovations that can accelerate the translation of nutrition knowledge into sustainable impact.
The Congress will facilitate dialogue on practical solutions to address hunger and malnutrition in all its forms while promoting equitable, sustainable, and resilient food systems across Africa.
Objectives
The conference aims to:
- Showcase emerging evidence and innovations in nutrition science and practice.
- Promote dialogue between researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and communities.
- Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders working to improve nutrition outcomes in Africa.
- Share best practices and lessons learned from successful nutrition interventions.
- Identify policy and programmatic actions required to accelerate progress toward ending hunger and malnutrition.
- Build capacity among nutrition professionals and young scientists.
- Promote partnerships for sustainable food systems and healthy diets.
Sub-theme (Tracks) 1: Evolution in Nutrition Governance and Accountability
Synopsis
Effective governance and accountability systems are fundamental for achieving nutrition goals. This sub-theme explores policy development, multisectoral coordination, financing, monitoring frameworks, political commitment, and mechanisms that ensure accountability in nutrition actions across Africa.
Suggested Abstract Topics
- Nutrition governance models in Africa: successes and challenges
- Financing nutrition interventions in resource-constrained settings
- Multisectoral coordination mechanisms for nutrition
- Tracking nutrition commitments and accountability frameworks
- Political economy of nutrition policy implementation
- Decentralized nutrition governance and service delivery
- Parliamentary engagement in nutrition advocacy
- Role of civil society in nutrition accountability
Sub-theme 2 (Track 2): Food Systems, Resilience and Healthy Diets
Synopsis
Food systems play a central role in determining food availability, affordability, accessibility, and dietary quality. This sub-theme examines strategies for transforming food systems to enhance resilience, improve nutrition outcomes, and promote sustainable healthy diets.
Suggested Abstract Topics
- Climate-resilient food systems and nutrition security
- Food environment interventions and healthy food choices
- Urban food systems and nutrition transitions
- Agricultural diversification for improved dietary diversity
- Food value chains and nutrition-sensitive agriculture
- School feeding programmes and food systems transformation
- Digital innovations in food systems
- Food affordability and access among vulnerable populations
- Ultra processed foods
Sub-theme 3 (Tracks 3) : Triple Burden of Malnutrition
Synopsis
Africa continues to face a triple burden of malnutrition characterized by the coexistence of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity within individuals, households, and populations. These nutritional challenges interact closely with both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) throughout the life course, creating a complex cycle of poor health outcomes. Undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in early life can increase susceptibility to infections, impair growth and cognitive development, and contribute to long-term health risks. Conversely, dietary transitions, urbanization, and increased consumption of unhealthy foods have accelerated the rise of overweight, obesity, and diet-related NCDs, while infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and emerging epidemics continue to exert a substantial burden on health systems. This sub-theme will explore the biological, social, environmental, and food system determinants of the triple burden of malnutrition, examine its interactions with communicable and non-communicable diseases across different stages of life, and highlight evidence-based interventions, policies, and programmes that can address these interconnected challenges to improve health and nutrition outcomes in Africa.
Suggested Abstract Topics
- The triple burden of malnutrition in African populations
- Life-course approaches to preventing malnutrition
- Maternal, infant, child, and adolescent nutrition
- Micronutrient deficiencies and infectious disease susceptibility
- Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases
- Overweight, obesity, and diet-related NCDs
- Ultra-processed foods and nutrition transitions in Africa
- Childhood and adolescent obesity prevention
- Double-duty and triple-duty actions for nutrition
- Food environments and dietary behaviours
- Nutrition-sensitive health systems strengthening
- Social determinants of malnutrition and health inequities
- Front-of-pack labelling and healthy food policies
- Integrated approaches to tackling malnutrition and disease
- Monitoring and surveillance of the triple burden of malnutrition
Sub-theme 4 (Track 4): Indigenous Foods, Culture and Sustainable Diets
Synopsis
Traditional food systems and indigenous foods offer significant opportunities for improving nutrition, biodiversity conservation, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. This sub-theme highlights research and innovations for valorisation of indigenous food resources and culturally appropriate dietary practices.
Suggested Abstract Topics
- Indigenous foods and dietary diversity
- Traditional knowledge and food systems
- Wild foods and nutrition security
- Neglected and Underutilized crops for sustainable diets
- Locally produced foods and micronutrient intake
- Cultural determinants of food choice
- Biodiversity conservation through indigenous food systems
- Indigenous foods in school feeding programmes
- Traditional Food habits and culinary Heritage
- Commercialization of indigenous food products
Sub-theme 5 (Track 5): Capacity Building and Nutrition Workforce Development
Synopsis
A competent and adequately trained nutrition workforce is essential for delivering evidence-based nutrition interventions. This sub-theme focuses on education, training, career development, leadership, mentorship, and workforce planning.
Suggested Abstract Topics
- Nutrition education and curriculum development
- New Nutrition training models e.g. Competency based approaches
- Strengthening nutrition workforce capacity in Africa
- Continuing professional development for nutrition practitioners
- Leadership development in nutrition
- Digital learning and nutrition education
- Mentorship programmes for young nutrition scientists
- Workforce gaps and human resource planning
Sub-theme 6 (Track 6): Research-generated Evidence, Data Systems, and Nutrition Surveillance
Synopsis
High-quality data and robust surveillance systems are critical for evidence-informed decision-making. This sub-theme explores innovations in nutrition research methodologies, monitoring systems, big data applications, and surveillance platforms.
Suggested Abstract Topics
- Advances in nutrition surveillance systems
- Artificial intelligence and nutrition data analytics
- Nutrition indicators and monitoring frameworks
- Dietary assessment methodologies
- National nutrition surveys and lessons learned
- Data quality assurance in nutrition programmes
- Mobile technologies for nutrition monitoring
- Implementation research in nutrition
Sub-theme 7 (Track 7): Food Safety and One Health
Synopsis
Food safety challenges continue to threaten public health and nutrition outcomes. The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This sub-theme explores integrated approaches to ensuring safe, nutritious, and sustainable food systems.
Suggested Abstract Topics
- Foodborne diseases and nutrition outcomes
- One Health approaches to food security
- Antimicrobial resistance and food systems
- Food safety risk assessment and management
- Mycotoxin contamination and nutrition
- Zoonotic diseases and food systems resilience
- Food safety regulations and compliance
- Climate change impacts on food safety