The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has signed an agreement with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to finance Phase II of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme, a key initiative under AfDB’s Feed Africa Strategy aimed at increasing smallholder farmers’ productivity and enhancing food security.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, AfDB’s Director-General for Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Kamara, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to agricultural transformation across Africa. He emphasized that the TAAT programme employs a regional approach, deploying climate-resilient agricultural technologies to combat pests and diseases that threaten food production. He also highlighted the importance of addressing supply chain bottlenecks, seed and fertilizer policies, and regulatory challenges to accelerate progress.
TAAT Phase II builds on the successes of the first phase, which was funded with $40 million. The new phase has received $27 million, with IITA leading implementation in collaboration with CGIAR Centres and National Agricultural Research Institutions. The programme’s expansion is further supported by a €5 million grant from Germany’s contribution to AfDB’s Transition Support Facility.
Dr. Simeon Ehui, IITA’s Director-General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, described the agreement as a milestone in efforts to transform agriculture on the continent. He praised AfDB’s commitment, stating that TAAT had already demonstrated the effectiveness of science-driven solutions in boosting productivity and strengthening food systems.
TAAT Phase II is expected to play a crucial role in Africa’s push for food self-sufficiency by equipping smallholder farmers with high-yield seeds, improved irrigation systems, and modern farming techniques.
