ECOWAS commissioner pledges stronger regional support for agricultural transformation

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Le commissaire de la CEDEAO promet un soutien régional renforcé pour la transformation agricole

6 mars 2026

Dr Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Honorable Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, receiving a recognition and appreciation award from IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui.

IITA CGIAR hosted His Excellency Dr Kalilou Sylla, Honorable Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture at the ECOWAS Commission, on 20 February, in a high-level visit that reaffirmed the critical link between science, policy, and regional food security. Welcoming the Commissioner, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Siméon Ehui, expressed appreciation for ECOWAS’ leadership and emphasized that regional collaboration is no longer optional for Africa—it is essential. At a time when the continent faces climate change, soil degradation, market shocks, and food insecurity, he noted that IITA’s mandate remains clear: to deliver science that anchors productivity, strengthens resilience, and improves nutrition. As the largest international agricultural research center in Africa, IITA focuses on crops that matter most to the continent, including cassava, banana and plantain, cowpea, and yam. Through advanced genetic breeding, the Institute develops improved and climate-smart varieties that respond to farmers’ needs. IITA Deputy Director General, Research for Development, Dr Bernard Vanlauwe, et le Directeur général adjoint par intérim de l'IITA, Partenariats pour la prestation, Dr Tahirou Abdoulaye, a souligné le rôle historique de l'IITA dans la résolution de la crise des cochenilles du manioc, qui a un temps menacé la production de manioc en Afrique, ainsi que le développement et la diffusion de nombreuses variétés améliorées de cultures relevant du mandat de l'IITA qui ont renforcé la sécurité alimentaire et les revenus.

Dr Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Honorable Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture in the company of the IITA DG, scientists, and Senior Management Staff. — Dr Kalilou Sylla, Commissaire honoraire aux affaires économiques et à l'agriculture de la CEDEAO, en compagnie du Directeur général de l'IITA, de scientifiques et de cadres supérieurs.

The Commissioner toured several key facilities, including the Genetic Resources Center (GRC), the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) facility for rapid seed multiplication of cassava and yam, the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, and the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) program. At the Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub, discussions centered on transforming soil data into actionable recommendations. From soil testing to digital soil maps and site-specific fertilizer blends, IITA is generating critical soil intelligence to support national systems across West Africa. Digital tools such as Akilimo aider les cultivateurs de manioc à déterminer leurs besoins en engrais, à accéder aux informations météorologiques et à prendre des décisions agronomiques éclairées. De plus, l'IITA Suivi des semences digital technology enhances transparency, traceability, and quality of seed access within seed systems and value-chain actors. Youth engagement was another highlight of the visit. Through mentorship, training, and deployment of IITA’s proven technologies (including Aflasafe, NoduMax, and Black Soldier Fly-based insect feed), IITA is positioning agriculture as a viable and profitable enterprise for young people. In his remarks, Dr Sylla described IITA as being “at the heart of food security” in the region. He commended the Institute’s strong engagement with the private sector and youth and pledged ECOWAS’ political support to mobilize additional resources and deepen regional collaboration. He emphasized the need for IITA’s support in leveraging underutilized crops in war-stressed zones, as well as for ECOWAS’s role to provide advisory support and create enabling environments to scale innovation across Member States. The visit concluded with a shared commitment: aligning science, policy, and investment to accelerate agricultural transformation and secure West Africa’s food future. ECOWAS moves to scale Youth Agribusiness Initiative across West Africa During his visit to the Youth in Agribusiness office, Dr Sylla expressed ECOWAS’ readiness to support greater youth involvement in agriculture, noting that the IYA model could be scaled up at the regional level for greater impact. He stated, “We are in your unit because what you are doing here is very important, so we came here to see how to move this initiative forward, like raising funds for your work to make it profitable for a lot of youths within the region.” The commissioner charged young people to embrace opportunities and not be deterred by challenges. He recalled that, as a child, under his grandmother’s care, feeding was a challenge, and the family was so poor that any day she missed the market or was unable to sell, there would be a food crisis in the house. He added, “However, hers was a story of commitment. My grandmother didn’t go to school, but she insisted I go. Despite the hardships, she funded my education through the doctoral level. The youths of today need to fight for a better future rather than do nothing and complain about what is not working. If my grandmother spent all her time crying over what wasn’t working, I wouldn’t be where I am now. “Our role is to support IITA to have more youths on this program, and your role is to see that this program becomes a model to the world.” Contributed by Folake Oduntan and Babatunde Ajaja Related Stories:

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Olaosebikan, Olamide