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 Simeon 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, and IITA Acting Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Dr Tahirou Abdoulaye, highlighted IITA’s historic role in solving the cassava mealybug crisis, which once threatened cassava production across Africa, as well as the development and delivery of numerous improved IITA mandate crop varieties that have enhanced both food and income security.
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 help cassava farmers determine fertilizer needs, access weather information, and make informed agronomic decisions. Furthermore, IITA Seed Tracker 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.
Contributed by
Folake Oduntan