The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a €5 million agreement to advance agricultural transformation across the continent.
The deal, aimed at financing the second phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, reinforces AfDB’s Feed Africa Strategy, which seeks to improve food security by enhancing smallholder farmers’ productivity.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, AfDB’s Director-General for Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Kamara, emphasized the bank’s commitment to revolutionizing agriculture in Africa.
He highlighted that the TAAT program focuses on increasing crop, livestock, and fish production through wider access to advanced agricultural technologies, benefiting over 40 million smallholder farmers.
Dr. Kamara noted that the initiative takes a regional approach in deploying climate-resilient agricultural innovations to combat pests and diseases that hinder food production.
He also underscored the need to address key challenges in agricultural supply chains, seed and fertilizer policies, and extension services.
The second phase of TAAT builds upon the success of the first phase, which was funded with $40 million. Phase II has received an additional $27 million, with IITA leading its implementation in collaboration with CGIAR Centres and National Agricultural Research Institutions across multiple African countries.
Dr. Kamara further acknowledged the Federal Republic of Germany’s support, which provided the €5 million grant through the Donor Contributions Window of AfDB’s Transition Support Facility. He noted that this funding will enable TAAT Phase II to scale up agricultural innovations, enhance food security, and improve climate resilience across the continent.
Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director-General of IITA and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, described the agreement as a crucial step in Africa’s agricultural transformation. He praised AfDB’s steadfast commitment, stating that the first phase of TAAT had already demonstrated how science-driven solutions can boost productivity, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthen food systems across the continent.
With this renewed collaboration, AfDB and IITA aim to accelerate Africa’s agricultural progress and create a more sustainable and resilient food production system.
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