Mastercard, in partnership with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative and Food for Education Foundation, has launched a program to provide over 300,000 meals to schoolchildren in underserved communities across Nigeria and Kenya. This effort addresses the critical issue of child hunger, aiming to improve educational outcomes for children at risk of malnutrition.
According to Mastercard’s announcement on Tuesday, the program originated from its cause marketing campaign with Glovo, launched in February 2024. Through this initiative, every transaction made with a Mastercard-branded card on the Glovo app in Nigeria and Kenya results in a donated meal for a child in need. Glovo, a multi-category app, connects consumers with restaurants, pharmacies, groceries, and retail stores.
Malnutrition in children has long-term impacts, with the World Food Programme noting that malnourished children are 19% less likely to read a simple sentence by age eight and 12% less likely to write one compared to healthy children. Well-nourished children, in contrast, are 33% more likely to rise out of poverty in adulthood, underscoring the significant social and economic benefits of adequate childhood nutrition.
“At Mastercard, doing well by doing good is a core principle that guides our efforts,” said Folasade Femi-Lawal, Mastercard’s Country Manager and Area Business Head for West Africa. “Through our collaboration with Lagos Food Bank Initiative and Glovo, we are tackling one of the most pressing issues facing underserved communities—child hunger. This initiative enables students to focus on their education without the distraction of an empty stomach, empowering the next generation to realize their full potential.”
Femi-Lawal added that Mastercard’s collaboration with local organizations like LFBI and Glovo is creating a support network that strengthens communities from within, driving positive social impact across the region.
Diego Nouet, General Manager for Glovo Sub-Saharan Africa, echoed this commitment, saying, “At Glovo, we believe in the power of collaborations to drive meaningful change. Working with Mastercard on this initiative allowed us to extend our impact beyond convenience and into communities in need, ensuring that every meal delivered brought hope to a child’s future.”
Founder and Executive Director of Lagos Food Bank Initiative, Michael Sunbola, highlighted the tangible impact of the initiative, emphasizing the difference a consistent meal makes in a child’s ability to attend school and thrive. “We are proud to work alongside Mastercard to build a foundation for these children’s future success,” he said.
Through this initiative, Mastercard and its partners aim to improve educational outcomes by addressing hunger, supporting children’s potential to thrive academically and ultimately contribute positively to their communities.
