The 9th Africa Nutrition Conference (ANEC IX), organized under the auspices of the African Nutrition Society (ANS), was successfully held from 7th to 11th October 2024 in the historic city of Cape Coast, Ghana. The conference brought together nutrition experts, researchers, policymakers, students, development partners, and practitioners from across Africa and beyond to deliberate on pressing nutrition and food systems issues affecting the continent.
Held under the theme, “Food and Nutrition in a Changing World: Implications for Nutrition Security and Health,” the conference highlighted the growing impact of global and regional challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, changing food environments, non-communicable diseases, and evolving health systems on nutrition outcomes in Africa.
ANEC IX provided an important platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among stakeholders working in nutrition, health, agriculture, education, and policy. Discussions focused on strengthening Africa’s food systems, improving nutrition and health outcomes, promoting indigenous food resources, and enhancing professional training and capacity-building in nutrition and dietetics.
The conference featured plenary sessions, scientific presentations, panel discussions, roundtable engagements, debates, and public engagement activities. Key thematic areas included food systems transformation, maternal and child nutrition, hidden hunger and micronutrient deficiencies, nutrition governance, nutrition surveillance technologies, and the role of the African diaspora in advancing nutrition research and capacity-building on the continent.
Participants also explored innovative approaches to addressing Africa’s nutrition challenges while advancing commitments toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national food systems transformation targets by 2030.
ANEC IX further strengthened partnerships among governments, academia, development agencies, civil society organizations, and international institutions, reinforcing the collective commitment to improving nutrition security and health across Africa.
The successful hosting of the conference in Ghana underscored the country’s growing role as a hub for nutrition research, policy dialogue, and professional collaboration in Africa.