Food4Education’s Wawira Njiru recognised as a 2025 CNBC Changemaker

Wawira with students from the Olympic School in Nairobi that F4E serves

Wawira Njiru, Founder and CEO of Food4Education (F4E), has been named on the 2025 CNBC Changemakers: women transforming business list. This prestigious recognition highlights her groundbreaking leadership in transforming the landscape of school feeding across Africa, providing nutritious meals to children in need while also driving sustainable growth.

The CNBC Changemakers list celebrates 50 influential women whose work has redefined business, overcome challenges and pioneered new avenues for growth. For Wawira, inclusion on the list reflects her relentless commitment to improving the lives of Africa’s children through innovative, locally rooted solutions.

Kristin Groos Richmond, F4E Board Chair, lauded her leadership: “Wawira is a transformational CEO that leads with a formidable combination of vision, heart and focus, all essential qualities for success when you’re forging a new system while delivering a solution that works for children – society’s most treasured assets.”

Under Wawira’s direction, F4E has revolutionised school feeding, taking a people-centred approach that sets new benchmarks for quality and sustainability. The organisation’s growth, from its humble beginnings serving just 25 children in Ruiru, Kenya, to feeding 500,000 children daily across the continent, is a testament to Wawira’s vision.

From passion project to continental movement

Founded by Wawira 13 years ago, F4E began as a response to childhood hunger in her community. What started as a small-scale initiative has blossomed into a continental movement that not only addresses hunger but enhances educational outcomes, creates jobs and strengthens local communities. Last year, TIME recognised the company on its list of 100 most influential companies.

F4E has driven its rapid expansion with cutting-edge innovations like Tap2Eat, a proprietary e-payments platform, and Giga Kitchen, Africa’s largest green kitchen. The latter delivers 60,000 meals daily using best-in-class clean cooking technology powered by eco briquettes and steam. 

“Under her leadership, F4E has consistently set new benchmarks for school feeding innovation, quality and sustainability,” said Richmond. “She has sparked a new movement for locally rooted, African-led school feeding and we are proud to be on this journey with her.”​

The F4E CEO expressed gratitude for the recognition: “This is not just a reflection of my work and the formidable team at Food4Education, but also of the changemakers on the ground who are pivotal in bringing our pan-African vision for a sustainable school feeding industry to life every day.”

Shaping Africa’s future through school feeding

School feeding programmes are more than just a meal — they are a vital investment in human capital, community development and long-term prosperity. With F4E’s mission to reshape the school feeding sector across Africa, the organisation is setting a blueprint for scalable, sustainable programmes.

By 2030, F4E plans to expand into two additional African countries, reaching 3 million children. This expansion coincides with a growing alignment among African governments, with 70 percent now committing resources towards universal school feeding.

Wawira concluded: “Together, we can unlock the potential of a new generation, ensuring no child is left behind.”