ESTABLISHING A PLATFORM FOR BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT ON NUTRITION. THE SUN BUSINESS NETWORK IN NIGERIA

Background and objectives: The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement was established in 2010 to encourage government led, collective action to end malnutrition in all forms. The SUN Business Network (SBN) is one of four networks supporting the SUN Movement and acts to engage and support the private sector to undertake business action on nutrition in support of national nutrition objectives. SBN operates at the global and national levels, with 13 national networks engaging the private sector on nutrition in Africa, Asia and Latin America. SBN wanted to establish a functioning private sector engagement and commitment platform on nutrition in Nigeria, aligned with the Government's nutrition strategy. Methods: Between August 2015 and April 2016 a strategy for private sector engagement was developed, following a review of national nutrition priorities, stakeholder interviews and analysis of existing business activities to address malnutrition in Nigeria. Priority areas for business action on nutrition were identified and a business engagement and commitment platform on nutrition developed. Results: 'Increasing consumer awareness and demand creation for nutritious foods' and 'nutrition in the agriculture value chain' were identified as priority areas for business action. These areas were validated by stakeholders including the Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Budget and National Planning. SBN Nigeria launched its membership and commitment platform in April 2016, with 20 business members signing up with commitments to address malnutrition. As of end March 2017, the membership has grown to 44 businesses (59% small-medium enterprises, 23% multinationals). Commitments made include activities to include availability and/or affordability of nutritious products (47%), increasing consumer awareness of nutrition (26%) and increased food fortification and use of bio-fortified crops (13%). Businesses have also signed up to activities within the priority workstreams. Conclusions: SBN Nigeria was successfully launched as the only business platform dedicated to nutrition in the country. In order to deliver impact and ensure business action to improve nutrition, SBN Nigeria will convene workstreams for action in priority areas, facilitate partnerships and the provision of technical assistance as well as track progress of members' nutrition commitments. SBN Nigeria will monitor business progress towards their nutrition commitments and business impact on nutrition.