The Impact of Big Companies on Africa's Food Market: How Can We Take Control?

Imagine walking into a store in Lagos, Johannesburg, or Nairobi. The shelves are packed with shiny packets of snacks, fizzy drinks, and quick meals—convenient, tempting, and everywhere. Now picture the same brands in London or New York, where the options look just a little different: less sugar, less salt, maybe a “healthy” label or two. Why the difference? The 2024 Global Index from the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) has the answer, and it’s a hard truth: the world’s biggest food companies are serving Africa less healthy options. This isn’t just about food—it’s about our future. Here’s why it matters and how we can fight back.

The Double Burden We’re Carrying

Africa’s food story is changing fast. Urbanization, rising incomes, and the hustle of modern life are flipping the script on what we eat. But this shift comes with a catch. We’re battling a “double burden” of malnutrition: on one side, millions still don’t get enough food or nutrients, leaving kids stunted and families vulnerable; on the other, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are creeping up, fueled by diets loaded with sugar, salt, and fat. It’s a brutal paradox—hunger and overindulgence hitting us at the same time—and it’s stretching our communities to the breaking point.

What the Numbers Say

The 2024 ATNI Global Index pulls back the curtain on 30 food giants—household names like Nestlé, Unilever, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone. These companies hold 23% of the global food market, but only 34% of their products score as “healthier” (3.5 or above on the Health Star Rating system). That’s barely one in three items you’d feel good about eating. Zoom into Africa and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and it gets worse. In South Africa, their offerings average a measly 2.1 on the health scale, compared to 2.8 in the UK.

Why the gap? It’s simple: weaker rules. In many LMICs, there’s no clear definition of “healthy,” no tough regulations, and no systems to keep companies in check. Without that pressure, profit trumps people. Processed foods—cheap, shelf-stable, and oh-so-convenient—flood our markets, while healthier options stay out of reach.

A Health Crisis in the Making

The fallout’s already here. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension are climbing across Africa, with poor diets steering the wheel. Globally, over 70% of NCD deaths happen in LMICs, and Africa’s slice of that pie is growing fast. This isn’t just about feeling sluggish—it’s an economic gut punch. Families lose breadwinners, workplaces lose productivity, and healthcare systems groan under the weight.

What’s driving this? Cities are booming—by 2050, nearly 70% of us will be urban dwellers. More money in our pockets and more women juggling work and home mean processed foods are winning. They’re quick, they last forever, and they’re big business. But they’re also a slow poison—packed with stuff our bodies weren’t built to handle.

Time to Ask the Tough Questions

The ATNI report isn’t just data—it’s a wake-up call. Why are Africa’s markets a dumping ground for junk? Are we cool with our kids growing up on a diet that sets them up for sickness? And what happens if we don’t build the guardrails—regulations, testing labs, nutrition standards—to protect ourselves?

If we let urbanization and global trade keep pushing processed junk, unchecked by companies or governments, NCDs could outstrip every other health challenge in Africa within decades. Our economies, already stretched thin, might not hold up. But here’s the flip side: this moment’s an opportunity. Can we hold these global players accountable? Can we rebuild our food systems around what’s local and good for us? This isn’t just for politicians—it’s on all of us.

Africa’s Fight Starts Now

The news isn’t all grim. We’ve got power as consumers—more than we think. Here’s how we can take charge:

Choose Smarter: Peek at what’s in your cart. Swap that soda for water or a fresh juice. Grab whole grains or local veggies over those shiny snack packs. It’s tough—healthy stuff can cost more or be harder to find—but every swap counts.
Raise Your Voice: Chat up shop owners, market vendors, even your local leaders. Demand better options and rules to keep the junk at bay. A little noise goes a long way.
Grow Something: Even a tiny patch of herbs or veggies at home cuts your reliance on processed garbage and puts you in control.
Spread the Word: Tell your friends, your family, your followers. A healthier Africa starts with us talking about it.

It’s Not Just on Us

This isn’t all on consumers—companies and governments have to step up too. Food giants need to rethink their recipes and put health first, especially in places like Africa. Governments can set the rules—clear standards, real enforcement—to make that happen. But while we push for that, we can’t wait around.

The Future’s in Our Hands

Africa’s food story is still being written, and what we eat today will shape our health—and our continent—tomorrow. The 2024 ATNI Global Index is a spotlight on a problem we can’t ignore: big food companies aren’t prioritizing us, and it’s costing us big. But we’re not helpless. We can choose wisely, demand more, and build something better—together.

So, what’s your move? One small step could ripple out farther than you think. Drop your thoughts below, and if you want the full scoop, check out the 2024 ATNI Global Index at https://accesstonutrition.org

Let’s make Africa’s food future one we’re proud of.

References:

1. Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI)

o ATNI. (2024). 2024 Global Index. Full Report.

o ATNI. (2024). Country Spotlight: Kenya. Full Report.

o Access to Nutrition Investor Initiative. (2024). Investor Expectations on Nutrition. Full Report.

2. African Development Bank

o African Development Bank. (2023). Africa’s Middle-Class Growth Report.

3. BMJ Global Health

o BMJ Global Health. (2022). Sugar Content in Soft Drinks: A Comparative Study. Full Article.

4. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

o FAO. (2023). Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition.

5. Global Health Advocacy Incubator

o Global Health Advocacy Incubator. (2023). Ultra-Processed Foods in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Full Report.

6. Global Nutrition Report

o Global Nutrition Report. (2023). Global Nutrition Report 2023. Full Report.

7. Ghana Health Service

o Ghana Health Service. (2023). Healthy School Food Policy Impact Report. Full Report.

8. Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

o GAIN. (2022). Vegetable Voucher Program Case Study: Kenya. Full Report.

9. Premium Times Nigeria

o Premium Times Nigeria. (2023). Vivian Maduekeh’s Campaign Against Nestlé. Full Article.

10. Public Eye

o Public Eye. (2023). Nestlé’s Cerelac in the Philippines: A Sugar Scandal. Full Investigation.

11. The Lancet Global Health

o The Lancet Global Health. (2023). Impact of South Africa’s Sugar Tax. Full Article.

12. UN-Habitat

o UN-Habitat. (2023). Urbanization Trends in Africa. Full Report.

§ 70% of Africans in cities by 2050.

13. UNICEF Malawi

o UNICEF Malawi. (2023). Soda Reduction Initiatives in Malawi. Full Report.

14. Wits University

o Wits University. (2023). Sugar Tax Impact on Soda Sales in South Africa. Full Study.