According to the Global Hunger Index, globally 821.6 million people are affected by hunger and malnutrition. The figure for Sub-Sahara Africa is 239 million people. In Nigeria, 32% of children under five are affected by malnutrition, making the country the second highest in terms of the burden of stunted children in the world. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), but only two (2) out of every 10 children affected is currently reached with treatment. According to UNICEF, 7% of Nigerian women of childbearing age are affected by acute malnutrition. In Africa and beyond, undernutrition affects a large segment of the population especially so in rural areas. This is the result among others, of lack of affordable infant complementary food. 

Founded in 2014, TAMARAP is a Jos-based agri-business enterprise focused on alleviating malnutrition in Africa and beyond by providing healthy plant-based solutions produced locally, with international quality standards. Through its food brand “PachaMama Foods”, TAMARAP produces food that respond to the needs of adults and children suffering from nutrition problems. Its products include: 

• Tom Brown PLUS, a nutritious blend of three grains and two legumes, specifically developed by nutritionists and chefs to fight severe malnutrition and deliver a unique nutritious and affordable all-in-one breakfast porridge. 
• Mixed Nuts, an indigenous and unique 3-in-1, 100% natural mix of Groundnut, Cashew and Tigernut, locally grown in Nigeria. 
• Fonio Flour & Fonio Grain. Fonio or Acha is an ancient African grain, a superfood with several nutrients and health benefits such as low glycaemic index. It is gluten free, sourced from local farmers in Plateau State and 100% natural. 
• Finger Millet Flour (Tamba), one of the healthiest, gluten free grains in Africa. It is also known as one of the lost grains of Africa and the richest specie of all millet. 
• Rice, a premium quality Nigerian parboiled rice directly purchased from local rice farmers. 
• Instant Baby Cereal, a healthy and nutritional instant cereal made with 100% natural wholegrain ingredients and vegetables ideal for babies and older ages. 

TAMARAP’s operation and impacts thus far has ensured a more inclusive economy in Nigeria. It employs 83 people, 85% of which are women. The company’s impact metrics also include: 

• 95% reduction in infant mortality in Primary Health Centers in Lagos State where the company's products are supplied. 
• 100% reduction in the malnutrition rate in children aged 6 months – 5 years in all Lagos state Primary Health Centers where the company’s products are supplied. 
• 15% increase in farmers income. 
• 30% increase in staff employment. 
• 50% increase in products order/supplies to stores. 
• 15% increase of pupil’s enrolment in schools that TAMARAP feeds. 
• 90% of c-suite positions are occupied by women. 

TAMARAP aims to tackle malnutrition affecting 32% of children under 5-year-olds in Nigeria by expanding the customer base of public institutions, non-profits, venture philanthropists, foundations and international agencies focused on alleviating malnutrition. The company also seeks grants and plans to collaborate with NGOs, private sector, Foundations and through crowd funding to feed primary school pupils not captured in the Federal Government Feeding programme starting 4th Quarter 2023 (it takes only $45 to feed a child per year). The company also plans to expand all products sales in more retail stores and distributors in all states in Nigeria through market activation, social media & influencers and expand to other African and international markets. In Q2 2023, TAMARAP introduced a new dedicated infant and toddler instant cereal launched in June 2023. 

The company is seeking USD 750,000 in debt as well as partnerships with international organizations and non-profits to join their supply chain with products to combat malnutrition as a vendor. TAMARAP is also looking for funding in form of grants to support its school feeding project towards primary school pupils not captured in the Federal Government Feeding programme. 

TAMARAP is a finalist of the EU-UNDP’s Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV) in Nigeria, in the food and beverage sector. The GSIV takes the Nigeria SDG Investor Map one step further by identifying through a highly competitive process enterprises in Nigeria that have developed at-scale products and services that contribute to the SDGs while achieving commercial success and are committed to embed impact considerations into decision-making. By putting the spotlight on and supporting these ventures, UNDP aims to bring forward evidence of the existence of pipelines of investable ventures that can advance the transition to SDG-aligned investments in Nigeria and more broadly, in Africa. 

Learn more and get in touch with TAMARAP: www.pachamamafoodsng.com