ECOWAS grants $2.24m to boost agric employment in W/Africa

The ECOWAS Commission, as part of its Regional Strategy for Youth Employment in Agricultural Value Chains, has provided a grant of $2,238,000 to support 10 Agricultural Research Centres and five Agroecology and Organic Production Centres, including Songhai Centres, across the region.

The grant, announced on February 25, 2025, in Porto Novo, Republic of Benin, aims to train 3,850 young people, 40% of whom are women, to enhance youth employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, presented the cheques on behalf of Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, President of the ECOWAS Commission, during the opening ceremony of a workshop at the Songhai Centre in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.

The workshop was organized to sensitize and mobilize beneficiary centres for the 2024/2025 grant, providing insights into the Regional Strategy for Youth Employment in Agricultural Value Chains and addressing the professional integration of young people in the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sectors.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. TOURE-LITSE emphasized that the initiative aligns with ECOWAS’ vision of promoting sustainable, inclusive, and innovative agricultural development.

She stated, “Training young people is an investment in our collective future. It equips them with the necessary skills to transform agriculture, enhance productivity, and strengthen the competitiveness of our agricultural sectors. Moreover, it combats unemployment by offering concrete prospects for self-employment and entrepreneurship.”

Welcoming participants to the workshop, Prof. Godfrey NZAMUJO, Director of the Songhai Centre, commended ECOWAS for the strategic intervention.

He remarked, “What we are launching today is more than just a training program—it is the foundation of a new economic paradigm. A paradigm where agriculture, industry, and services work in synergy to drive sustainable development, environmental regeneration, and wealth creation. It is an opportunity to redefine development in Africa, shifting from short-term interventions to transformative solutions.”

Youth unemployment in agriculture in West Africa is a pressing issue despite the sector’s vast potential for job creation. Many young people struggle to secure employment in agriculture due to several challenges. One major obstacle is limited access to land. Traditional land tenure systems often make it difficult for young people to acquire land for farming, leaving them without the necessary resources to start agricultural ventures.

Another significant challenge is the lack of financing. Youth often face difficulties in obtaining credit, loans, and grants needed to invest in farming activities, making it hard to sustain or expand agricultural businesses.

Low productivity and a lack of modernization also discourage youth participation in agriculture. Many farms still rely on outdated techniques, resulting in low yields and limited income opportunities.

By addressing these challenges and implementing targeted solutions, agriculture can become a thriving industry that provides sustainable employment opportunities for young people in West Africa.