Nigeria, ECOWAS reaffirm commitment to agricultural investment

West African Heads of State and ministers affirmed their commitment to accelerate investments and reforms to make fertilizers more accessible and affordable during the high-level roundtable jointly organized by the Togolese government, the World Bank, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

A roadmap on soil health was endorsed by the country delegations, bringing together President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of the Republic of Togo, President Mohamed Bazoum of the Republic of Niger, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau, as well as ministers of agriculture and finance.

“Without vision, without strategy, fertilizers can quickly turn from a promise of soil restoration to the cause of deterioration, » said the President of the Republic of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. « As we need to find a proper balance, planning and state involvement are essential. I therefore support a regional approach. As exemplified by the roadmap presented today, our vision should primarily be sub-regional. »

During the event, industry leaders and development partners from the Economic Community of West Africa Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) reaffirmed their commitments to the development of an innovative and integrated approach for sustainable soil fertility management.

“Together with ECOWAS member countries and development partners, the World Bank is committed to increasing financial and technical support for a resilient agriculture that promotes sustainable development and creates jobs. We are working with African institutions to promote soil health and fight food insecurity,” said Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa.

By The World Bank

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/05/31/leaders-from-west-africa-and-the-sahel-reaffirm-commitments-to-invest-in-fertilizers-for-agricultural-transformation.print