News

KFC Africa's (http://KFC.co.za) big secret is out, and no, it's not the blend of 11 herbs and spices, it's a recipe of hope to end child hunger - open-sourced globally for sharing and scaling in honour of World Food Day.

Unveiled yesterday (7 October) at The Biggest Hunger Hack in Johannesburg, KFC Africa has, for the first time ever, open-sourced the blueprint for Add Hope, its 16-year-old initiative that is also South Africa's largest non-governmental feeding programme.

What began as a hackathon will now have global reach. During the past week, 60 of the country's smartest young minds, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, have been supercharging the Add Hope recipe to make it even more impactful.

KFC Africa Head of Corporate Affairs Andra Nel says Gen Z in Africa is key to ending hunger. “They truly get it because they've lived or witnessed it. They also understand technology, community and systems thinking better than most. So we gave them our blueprint and challenged them to turn it into fresh solutions for even more hope.”

Nel says the Add Hope team was blown away by the ideas that emerged from the hackathon. “These ideas and the blueprint will make it easier for others to explore the recipe, share it and scale it. That's a great way to mark World Food Day on 16 October and honour its theme of global collaboration.”

Biggest Hunger Hack

Add Hope's success is itself rooted in the power of collaboration, starting with KFC customers adding R2 donations to KFC's own significant contribution, and ending with meals being prepared for vulnerable children at thousands of feeding centres nationwide. A R1 billion milestone was reached last year, with over R600 million donated by the public and R400 million by KFC.

 “We know collaboration is the only way to scale this fight even further and address the great need that still exists, which is why we invited leaders from business, government and civil society to join us at The Biggest Hunger Hack,” says Nel.

 “We're hoping other organisations will heed our call to collaborate with us to scale what already works. Just off this campaign, new partnerships with companies like McCormick, Digistics, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, Foodserv, Tiger Brands, CBH and Nature's Garden,  to name a few, will give us a flying start.”

The Biggest Hunger Hack was hosted at the University of Johannesburg, and Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi said UJ was thrilled to partner with KFC on an initiative in which young people used their Fourth Industrial Revolution expertise to tackle child hunger.

“This collaboration is a prime example of how young innovators, equipped at the university, can develop practical, scalable solutions for societal impact. We look forward to seeing the tangible difference their ideas will make in alleviating hunger through innovation.”

Poverty to blame

Panellists at The Biggest Hunger Hack outlined the scale of the child hunger challenge and said a society-wide approach was the best option for a sustainable solution.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, said. “When you go to a disaster site, the first thing people ask for is food. That's when you realise that that hunger is not two hours old, it's been there for days.”

South Africa is one of 20 countries responsible for 65% of severe poverty worldwide, according to Siya Leshabane of UN Women. “Hungry children struggle to focus and retain information. Poor nutrition leads to fatigue and children struggle to take themselves out of that whirlwind.”

Luvuyo Sandi, SED business and fund manager, Kagiso Trust, said hunger is not an isolated problem. “The reason this child is hungry has to do with household income issues, and beyond that the reason is unemployment or being unemployable.”

Dr Marc Aguirre, country director at HOPE worldwide, described child hunger as a national development crisis. “We know it's impacting our GDP by about 10%. Stunting is costing this country billions of rands, so we need to look at addressing child hunger as an investment in the future.”

Gen Z solution

Nel says ideas from the hackathon teams will be tested over the next few months, and a collaborative business-led proposal will be prepared for the National Convention early in 2026 – a Gen Z solution to child hunger from KFC Africa. Potential seed funding of up to
R1 million could be allocated to the development of the winning solution.

“This is the first time a major South African corporation has open-sourced a successful social impact model, potentially revolutionising how businesses tackle social challenges,” she says.

“We're not just feeding children any more, we're feeding a movement with the potential to end child hunger in countries forever. This is the secret recipe the world really needs.”

• Read more on the Add Hope recipe at https://AddHope.KFC.co.za/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa.

#KFCAddHope #AddHopeHackathon

About KFC Africa:
KFC has been part of Africa's story since 1971, when the first restaurant opened in Johannesburg. Today, with more than 1,400 restaurants across 22 sub-Saharan countries, it stands as the continent's leading quick service restaurant brand and home of the Original Recipe® fried chicken that millions love. 

At KFC Africa, we feed more than hunger, we feed potential. Every meal served is part of a bigger purpose: creating a seat at the table for everyone and ensuring that potential isn't just seen, it's nurtured. That commitment comes to life through initiatives that make a measurable difference. Our Streetwise Academy, backed by Services SETA accreditation, equips team members with skills to thrive across frontline leadership, HR and operations, achieving a 75% promotion and retention rate that proves the power of investing in people. Our Add Hope programme delivers over 30 million meals to vulnerable children each year, while Mini Cricket, South Africa's largest grassroots sports programme, reaches more than 120,000 young players guided by 13,000 coaches. Beyond food, initiatives such as the Ikusasa Lethu scholarships and youth empowerment programmes across Africa open pathways to education, livelihoods, and brighter futures.

With over 40,000 team members powering our business, KFC Africa is proud to be an employer of choice, cultivating careers, fairness, and integrity while serving millions daily. Because when individuals rise, families strengthen. Communities grow. Nations transform. That's the undeniable impact we are proud to serve.

About KFC Add Hope:
Add Hope isn't just spare change, it's real change. Every time you add just R2 to your KFC meal, you're helping a child in South Africa get the nutritious food they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Here's the kicker: KFC has donated over R400M in the last 16 years.  Since 2009, together we've raised over R1.2 billion, serving up more than 30 million meals every year through thousands of feeding centres and non-profits. That's millions of kids with the energy to show up at school, focus, play, and dream bigger.

But Add Hope doesn't stop at full stomachs. It opens doors. It gives kids the chance to play through Mini Cricket, offers high school scholarships through Ikusasa Lethu, and levels up futures with the Streetwise Academy. Add Hope is one of South Africa's most impactful social purpose brands. Because this isn't just about food. It's about feeding potential.  More at www.AddHope.co.za.

• The 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary will be officially inaugurated by The President of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mr. ADAMA BARROW, and attended by African First Ladies.  
• The conference is being co-chaired by The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW & Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej and attended by African First Ladies. 
• The First Ladies of Africa to be the Guests of Honor at the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 conducted in the Gambia. 
• More than 6,000 healthcare providers, policymakers and media from over 70 countries will benefit from the Luminary.  
• Watch the Merck Foundation Partnership Journey with The First Lady of The Gambia since 2017, here: https://apo-opa.co/48qOSWZ

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, will conduct the 12th Edition of their annual conference, “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”, in partnership with the Government of The Gambia in Banjul, The Gambia.  

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Co-Chairperson of the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary shared, “I am excited to announce the 12th Edition of our annual conference together with my dear sister, Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, in partnership with Government of The Gambia. I am pleased to share that the conference will be officially inaugurated by H.E. Mr. ADAMA BARROW, The President of the Republic of The Gambia, together with Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.  

I am also looking forward to welcome First Ladies of Africa, also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother who will be joining us as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers. Together, we will share our experiences and discuss the impact of our programs in building healthcare and media capacity, while raising awareness on a wide range of critical social and health issues.” 

Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, First Lady of The Gambia, Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother and Co-Chairperson of the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary shared “We are delighted to host the 12th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary in The Gambia this year. I am especially excited that the conference will be inaugurated by His Excellency, the President of The Gambia. I look forward to welcoming my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, Ministers, Healthcare Experts, Media Representatives, and Delegates from over 52 countries, together with our long-term partners Merck Foundation. 

Merck Foundation has provided 94 scholarships to our local Gambian doctors in more than 30 underserved specialties, helping us transform our public healthcare landscape. Many of them are becoming first specialists in their fields. We are making history together with Merck Foundation in The Gambia, I am very proud of this great achievement.” 

Watch the Merck Foundation Partnership Journey with The First Lady of The Gambia since 2017, here: https://apo-opa.co/48qOSWZ​ 

The conference will be held in a hybrid format, featuring both physical and online participation of more than 6,000 healthcare providers, policymakers, academia, researchers, and media representatives from over 70 countries across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Of these, over 300 participants will attend in person. 

“Since 2012, we have made a significant progress, I am happy to share that we have provided more than 2400 scholarships for young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties such as Oncology & Cancer care, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Clinical Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery, Trauma & Orthopedic, Dermatology, Neonatal Care, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Advanced Surgical Practice, Neuroimaging for Research and more. Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries, and we are proud of this achievement”, added Dr. Kelej. 

On the first day of the conference, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025 will take place, featuring keynote speeches of African First Ladies. 

Also, three key parallel medical, scientific and community awareness sessions will be held. Medical and scientific session will cover topics such as diabetes and hypertension, and medical capacity building in specialties like respiratory care, acute care, emergency pediatric and neonatal care, and more.  

And, community awareness session, Merck Foundation Health Media Training, will be conducted for journalists from The Gambia and other African countries. This session will emphasize the critical role of the media in influencing communities and driving cultural change, with regards to a wide range of social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls' Education, Stopping GBV, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Empowering Women, Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.  

Countries participating physically in the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary will include: 

Ghana, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda 

Countries participating virtually in the 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary will include: 

Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.  

The 12th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary will be streamed live on the social media channels of Merck Foundation and Dr. Rasha Kelej. 

Summarizing Merck Foundation's initiatives and impact: 

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through: 

• 2400+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 52 Countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through: 

• 3700+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues 
• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs 
• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa 
• 8 Children's Storybooks in three languages - English, French, and Portuguese 
• 7 Awareness Animation films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education. 
• Pan African TV Program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community 
• 950+ Scholarships provided to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls to empower them to complete their studies 
• 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8.5 Million Followers. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! 
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4h5m0Wq
X: https://apo-opa.co/4h1vz8R
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/46We05f
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4odGAX2
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/48VpZmj
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/3L108zl
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/48meuUW

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4h5m0Wq), X (https://apo-opa.co/4h1vz8R), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4odGAX2), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/46We05f), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/48VpZmj) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/3L108zl). 

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.