Nestlé South Africa created the Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa (NNIA) in 2001 to further develop African expertise on nutrition. The Institute fosters research and promotes understanding of nutrition at all stages of life in Africa’s diverse population. Key areas of interest include malnutrition, obesity, safe infant and young child feeding practices and breast-feeding promotion.

The Institute provides scholarships and sponsors the participation of nutritionists and health professionals at Nestlé’s International Nutrition Workshops. The Institute has been involved in several academic meetings held in seven Southern and Eastern African countries that included more than 1200 health care professionals. NNIA representatives participated in the Information Technology for the Advancement of Nutrition in Africa (ITANA) Congress, resulting in a partnership with a crucial information technology role player in the continent of Africa.