Launch of the Fourth Continental Biennial Review Report on Agricultural Growth and Transformation and Preliminary Consultation on ECOWAS Agriculture Policy (ECOWAP)/POST Malabo Agenda in the Region

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently hosted the fourth Biennial Review on agricultural growth and transformation, marking a significant milestone in the region’s agricultural sector. The event, which brought together key stakeholders from national and regional levels, as well as representatives from the African Union, aimed to kickstart discussions on the next ten years for the ECOWAS Agriculture Policy (ECOWAP) and Post Malabo Agenda.

With a total of 98 participants, both online and offline, the two-day event featured distinguished facilitators, experts, and ECOWAS officials who engaged in detailed discussions and action planning. The Director of Agriculture and Rural Development of ECOWAS, Alain SY TRAORE, emphasized the importance of the Biennial Review process in his opening remarks, setting the stage for a series of presentations and analyses.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Fourth Biennial Review Report by Mrs. Fatmata Lucia SEIWOH, which showcased ECOWAS as the best-performing region for the second time, with five countries making significant progress. Regional BR Expert Professor Raphael BABATUNDE provided a comprehensive analysis of the report, while Dr. Mbaye YADE of AKADEMIYA2063 discussed potential post-BR activities and future strategies.

The ceremony also included an open discussion moderated by Prof. Aminou Arouna, where participants shared their perspectives and feedback on the reports. Additionally, AU representative Mme. Panduleni ELAGO outlined the Post Malabo consultations and upcoming regional consultations, while Dr. Olawale OLAYIDE presented the objectives for West Africa’s physical meeting scheduled for June 12-14, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Overall, the event served as a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and strategize for the future of agriculture in the ECOWAS region. Discussions focused on improving performance in the fifth Biennial Review process in 2025, emphasizing the importance of policy dialogue, data management, and capacity building. The Director acknowledged the support of technical and financial partners, including USAID, European Union, FAO, and AGRA, for their contributions to the region’s agricultural development.