Nigeria and five other African countries have secured a €5 million grant to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies, in a major push to strengthen food systems and improve resilience across the continent.
The funding, provided by Germany and administered through the African Development Bank’s Transition Support Facility (TSF Pillar IV), will benefit Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi.
The development was a key highlight of a high-level Work Planning Meeting convened by the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme in Kigali, Rwanda, held from March 23 to 24, 2026.
The meeting, supported by the African Development Bank, brought together key stakeholders including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), CGIAR centres, national research institutions, government officials, private sector players, and development partners.
Participants reviewed and finalised implementation plans for the TAAT Phase II Addendum, aimed at scaling climate-smart agricultural innovations across the six countries.
Focus on Seeds, Youth, and Digital Agriculture
Central to the initiative are efforts to strengthen seed systems, expand early-generation seed production, promote youth participation in agriculture, and deploy digital advisory tools to improve productivity and climate resilience.
Since its launch in 2018, TAAT has played a significant role in transforming agriculture in Africa by scaling proven technologies. The programme has supported the production of over 4,300 metric tonnes of breeder seeds and more than 309,000 metric tonnes of certified seeds, boosting yields and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
It has also facilitated the integration of dozens of agricultural technologies into large-scale projects across more than 20 African countries, influencing investments worth over $1.7 billion.
Stakeholders Push for Faster Implementation
Speaking at the meeting, the African Development Bank’s Chief Agricultural Technologies Officer, Innocent Musabyimana, stressed the importance of strong partnerships in achieving the continent’s food security goals.
“TAAT remains central to delivering the Feed Africa vision. This meeting is about moving from planning to accelerated action,” he said.
Similarly, IITA’s Country Representative for Rwanda, Matieyedou Konlambigue, praised the programme’s achievements and called for faster scaling of its interventions.
“TAAT has demonstrated success in strengthening seed systems across Africa. Now, we must scale with speed, ensure sustainability, and deliver measurable impact for farmers,” he noted.
The Acting Coordinator of the TAAT Programme Management Unit, Rachel Zozo, said the new funding would focus on building resilience, strengthening institutions, and driving innovation in the beneficiary countries.
“Our priorities include enhancing seed systems, empowering youth, scaling digital agriculture, and deepening collaboration between public and private sectors,” she explained.
Boost for Food Security and Economic Growth
The meeting culminated in the signing of a sub-grant agreement involving the Government of Rwanda, the African Development Bank, and the TAAT programme, represented by IITA.
The agreement is expected to fast-track implementation across key areas, including capacity building for agricultural institutions, support for private sector seed production, and development of digital solutions for farmers.
Rwanda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr Solange Uwituze, welcomed the initiative, noting that it aligns with the country’s long-term vision to significantly boost agricultural productivity and food security.
Experts say the initiative could play a crucial role in reducing Africa’s vulnerability to global food shocks while creating jobs, especially for young people, and improving livelihoods across rural communities.
