YADAM Foundation and SANKU Sign Strategic MoU to Scale Food Fortification and Combat Micronutrient Deficiencies in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — April 14, 2026 — The YADAM Foundation and SANKU Food Fortification Ethiopia PLC officially entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, marking a landmark partnership aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s nutrition landscape through large-scale food fortification.
The agreement was signed at the YADAM Foundation headquarters in Addis Ababa by H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Founder and Board Chairperson of the YADAM Foundation, and Mr. Mark Ocitti, President of Sanku. The ceremony was attended by senior leadership from both organizations and key stakeholders in the nutrition sector.
This strategic alliance is built on a shared vision to eradicate “hidden hunger” by integrating essential vitamins and minerals into staple foods. Under the terms of the MoU, YADAM Foundation and Sanku will collaborate on four critical pillars:
- Accelerating Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF): Leveraging joint advocacy to institutionalize fortification standards across the national food supply chain.
- Capacity Strengthening & Technical Innovation: Enhancing the technical capabilities of local millers and exploring the establishment of domestic premix manufacturing initiatives.
- Public Awareness & Advocacy: Launching nationwide campaigns to increase consumer demand for fortified products and educate the public on the long-term health benefits of micronutrients.
- National and Continental Leadership: Fostering strategic collaborations to position Ethiopia as a regional center of excellence for nutrition innovation.
Speaking during the signing, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen underscored the urgency of the partnership:
“This MoU represents a decisive step toward securing the health of our future generations. By combining YADAM’s advocacy reach with Sanku’s proven fortification technology, we are moving beyond policy into tangible, life-saving implementation.”
Mr. Mark Ocitti, President of Sanku, added:
“Partnering with the YADAM Foundation allows us to scale our impact significantly. Together, we will ensure that no child in Ethiopia suffers from preventable deficiencies, creating a more productive and prosperous nation.”
“Partnering with the YADAM Foundation allows us to scale our impact significantly. Together, we will ensure that no child in Ethiopia suffers from preventable deficiencies, creating a more productive and prosperous nation.”
The partnership arrives at a critical time as Ethiopia intensifies its efforts to meet national nutrition targets and reduce stunting. By bridging the gap between high-level policy and private-sector technology, the YADAM-Sanku collaboration sets a new benchmark for public-private partnerships in the African nutrition sector.
