KFC Africa opens Add Hope blueprint to tackle child hunger
KFC Africa has unveiled a bold new approach to tackling child hunger. The company has open-sourced Add Hope, its 16-year-old initiative and South Africa’s largest non-governmental feeding program. The announcement was made at The Biggest Hunger Hack in Johannesburg, in celebration of World Food Day.
The open-sourcing of Add Hope allows organizations, schools, and communities to access the blueprint and scale the initiative globally. For the first time, young innovators can adapt and improve the program, creating new solutions for feeding children in need.
Gen Z leads innovation against hunger
Over the past week, 60 of South Africa’s brightest young minds collaborated with the University of Johannesburg to enhance the Add Hope model. The participants developed technology-driven, community-focused solutions to maximize the program’s impact.
Andra Nel, KFC Africa’s Head of Corporate Affairs, emphasized the role of Gen Z in addressing hunger. “Young people understand technology, community, and systems thinking. We gave them the blueprint and challenged them to turn it into fresh solutions for more hope,” she said.
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The hackathon’s ideas will be tested over the coming months, with the goal of presenting a business-led, collaborative proposal at South Africa’s National Convention in early 2026. Potential seed funding of up to R1 million is earmarked to develop the winning solution.
Collaboration fuels social impact
Add Hope’s success has always relied on partnerships. KFC customers contribute through R2 donations, while KFC itself provides significant funding. Together, the initiative surpassed R1 billion in contributions last year.
“The fight against child hunger requires collaboration,” Nel said. Partnerships with organizations such as McCormick, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, Tiger Brands, and Nature’s Garden are expected to scale Add Hope’s impact even further.
Experts at The Biggest Hunger Hack emphasized the urgency of the issue. Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, noted, “Hunger isn’t two hours old—it’s been there for days.” UN Women’s Siya Leshabane added that malnutrition impairs children’s ability to learn, while HOPE worldwide’s Dr. Marc Aguirre highlighted the economic impact of stunting on South Africa’s GDP.
The University of Johannesburg, which hosted the event, praised the initiative as a prime example of how young innovators can create scalable solutions to societal challenges.
KFC Africa’s open-sourcing of Add Hope marks a turning point in corporate social responsibility. It’s no longer just about feeding children—it’s about feeding a movement that could end child hunger permanently.
