The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun reviewing regional agricultural programmes as member states confront worsening food insecurity, security disruptions and economic shocks affecting tens of millions of people across West Africa.
Regional steering committees overseeing the implementation of the ECOWAS agricultural policy, known as ECOWAS ECOWAP, opened a four-day meeting in Togo on Monday to assess progress made in 2025 and define priorities for 2026.
Officials said the session in Lomé brings together representatives from member states and development partners to evaluate roughly 20 regional projects covering agricultural production, livestock and fisheries, value chain development and food market integration.
The discussions are also expected to produce recommendations aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of ongoing interventions in a sector seen as central to both economic stability and regional security.
A key focus of the meeting is the impact of overlapping crises, particularly insecurity in the Sahel and wider economic pressures, which have disrupted farming activities, supply chains and cross-border trade.
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According to ECOWAS estimates discussed at the meeting, nearly 40 million people across West Africa are currently affected by varying levels of food insecurity, a situation worsened by conflict, climate stress and inflationary pressures.
Delegates are also examining efforts to reduce dependence on external food markets by strengthening regional production and improving intra-African agricultural trade.
The agenda includes assessments of programmes aimed at boosting resilience, improving food and nutrition security, and enhancing financing mechanisms for farmers and agribusinesses.
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Officials say the 2026 strategy will place greater emphasis on coordinated regional responses, particularly in areas affected by instability in parts of the Sahel, where armed conflict has disrupted agricultural cycles and displaced rural populations.
The ECOWAS Commission has indicated that improved policy coordination among member states will be essential to addressing structural weaknesses in food systems and reducing vulnerability to external shocks.
Togo, the host country, is expected to present updates on its own agricultural modernisation efforts, including initiatives to increase cereal production and improve domestic food self-sufficiency.
Agriculture remains a key pillar of most West African economies, employing a large share of the population and serving as a critical buffer against poverty. However, productivity levels remain low in many countries due to limited mechanisation, climate variability and infrastructure gaps.
Regional policymakers have repeatedly emphasised the need to strengthen value chains, improve access to financing and enhance governance in the sector in order to unlock growth potential.
The Lomé meeting comes at a time when West African governments are increasingly prioritising food sovereignty as part of broader economic resilience strategies.
As discussions continue, officials are expected to outline a roadmap for 2026 aimed at improving coordination among member states, scaling up successful projects and addressing persistent bottlenecks that have limited agricultural transformation in the region.
The outcome of the meeting is likely to shape ECOWAS’ agricultural agenda for the coming year, particularly as the bloc seeks to respond to rising food demand, climate challenges and ongoing insecurity across parts of West Africa.
West Africa’s agricultural policy framework is anchored in the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy, known as ECOWAS ECOWAP, a regional strategy designed to boost food production, strengthen intra-regional trade, and reduce dependence on food imports from outside the continent.
The policy was developed in response to recurring food crises in the region, particularly those triggered by climate variability, price shocks on global markets, and structural weaknesses in domestic food systems. Agriculture remains the backbone of most ECOWAS economies, employing a large share of the population, yet productivity levels remain uneven across member states.
Over the years, ECOWAP has expanded to include programmes focused on improving agricultural productivity, livestock and fisheries development, and strengthening regional value chains. It also places emphasis on food and nutrition security, rural development, and improved financing mechanisms for farmers and agribusinesses.
Despite these efforts, West Africa continues to face significant challenges. Climate change has intensified droughts and flooding in parts of the Sahel and coastal regions, disrupting planting cycles and reducing yields. At the same time, insecurity linked to armed groups in parts of the Sahel has displaced rural communities and limited access to farmland.
The region has also been affected by global economic shocks, including supply chain disruptions and rising food and fertiliser prices, which have increased production costs and contributed to inflation in many countries.
Food insecurity remains a major concern. Millions of people across West Africa face varying levels of hunger, with the situation often worsening during lean seasons or periods of conflict. This has increased pressure on governments and regional institutions to accelerate agricultural transformation and improve resilience.
In response, ECOWAS has prioritised regional coordination, aiming to harmonise agricultural policies, improve cross-border trade, and strengthen food reserves. The organisation has also worked with development partners to support infrastructure development, including irrigation systems, storage facilities and rural roads.
However, implementation challenges persist. Limited financing, weak institutional capacity and inconsistent policy execution across member states have slowed progress in achieving ECOWAP objectives. In some cases, overlapping national priorities have also complicated regional alignment.
The current focus on reviewing programmes and setting new priorities reflects a broader effort to reassess progress and adapt strategies to evolving risks, particularly in light of worsening security conditions in the Sahel and increasing climate pressures.
Togo and other member states have recently emphasised agricultural modernisation, including the use of improved seed varieties, mechanisation and expanded cereal production, as part of national efforts aligned with ECOWAS goals.
Against this backdrop, ECOWAP remains a central pillar of West Africa’s long-term strategy to achieve food sovereignty, reduce vulnerability to external shocks and build a more integrated regional agricultural market capable of supporting sustainable economic growth.
