Suburban neighbourhoods in the city of Niamey, in Niger, are generally poorly integrated in international interventions focusing on nutrition. Complementary foods are physically and financially difficult to access for households, and the population has very little access to information on prevention and awareness-raising around nutrition. The Project to support food fortification in Niger (Pafan), conducted by GRET since 2017 and funded by the European Union, Agence française de développement and the Principality of Monaco, aims to fight against child malnutrition by ensuring sustainable availability of a locally produced, ready-to-eat quality fortified infant porridge for children aged 6 to 24 months at an affordable price.
To achieve this objective, GRET is starting to test an innovative model for distribution of fortified infant porridges, based on a network of kiosks run by women street vendors, called the Kokovita scheme. The women vending in these kiosks were identified in collaboration with municipalities’ technical services and customary chiefs, and were trained in marketing techniques and preparation of the fortified porridge, with strong emphasis on quality and hygiene.
The official launch ceremony of the Kokovita scheme took place on 19 August 2020 in the Airport neighbourhood in Niamey, under the high patronage of the General Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Promotion of the Private Sector. In his speech, the Deputy General Secretary highlighted the economic and social contribution made by the creation of an inclusive economy based on the fight against malnutrition. He encouraged all stakeholders to work for the success of this activity and its extension in other neighbourhoods of Niamey.
The official launch ceremony ended with kits being awarded to the Kokovita vendors. Each kit is made up of a cart with the material necessary to prepare the porridge, a flask to keep the porridge warm and promotional material.
This project was developed with the support of the European Union. The content of this article is the sole responsibility of GRET and can in no way be considered to reflect the views of its financial partners.
