N4D is in conversation for a second time (check out previous short podcast at N4G Summit) with Madam Manty Tarawalli, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, discussing Sierra Leone’s nutrition progress since joining the SUN Movement in 2012.

An acknowledged leader in politics and development, the Honourable Minister is spearheading country-led initiatives to tackle malnutrition:

“When you demonstrate leadership as a country by saying to partners, this is the approach you want to take and these are the reasons & expected outcomes you foresee, you get partners following that drive. Without that leadership you get confusion and people doing whatever they want to do,” she affirms.

It seems to be paying off. Recent standout moments include:

• High-level political leadership with nutrition anchored in the Office of the Vice President;
• Integration of the SUN Secretariat with the Food Systems Coordination Unit for stronger multisectoral alignment;
• Introduction of national multisectoral nutrition budget lines (2026) and a new information management system to track investments;
• Expansion of home-grown school feeding to 270,000 children; and
• Major nutrition gains: exclusive breastfeeding up from 31% (2012) to 50.9% (2023), stunting reduced from 33%(2012) to 25% (2024), and wasting down from 10.7% (2012) to 6.3% (2024).

We also discuss key challenges—food insecurity, climate vulnerability, financing constraints—and why sustained investment and innovative financing mechanisms are critical for continued progress. SUN Movement support has been crucial, providing technical assistance and donor linkages. The Minister advocates for ring-fenced nutrition financing for poorer countries, risk guarantees to boost private sector growth, and multi-country projects to stimulate economic development. The discussion highlights the complexity of multisectoral nutrition efforts and the importance of coordination and tailored support.