ECOWAS Agriculture Fund Boosts Food Security Interventions Across West Africa

Agriculture
Tuesday, 29 April 2025 15:41
ECOWAS Agriculture Fund Boosts Food Security Interventions Across West Africa

(Togo First) - The ECOWAS Regional Agriculture and Food Fund (RAFF) Supervisory Board approved its 2025-2027 work plan and budget during a meeting in Lomé last week. The fund aims to boost agricultural program funding across member states as West Africa faces escalating food insecurity.

Harmonized Framework estimates that 49.5 million people could face food insecurity during the upcoming lean season, with Nigeria accounting for over 60% of at-risk populations. The RAFF seeks to strengthen regional coordination and scale existing initiatives to address the crisis.

Massandjé Touré-Litsè, ECOWAS Agriculture Commissioner, chaired the session and emphasized urgent resource mobilization, improved fund absorption in member states, and enhanced technical partnerships.

 “We have advanced financing agreements, capacity-building efforts, and regional projects promoting climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and value-chain development,” Touré-Litsè stated.

The three-year budget will enable the RAFF to expand support for inclusive, competitive agricultural sectors and reinforce food security and poverty reduction efforts. The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) manages the RAFF, which finances the Regional Agricultural Policy Investment Program (ECOWAP).

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

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