ABUJA, Nigeria — August 29, 2026 — ECOWAS is preparing a new phase of its regional agricultural policy with ministers calling for a stronger focus on investment, implementation and measurable results as West Africa works to improve food security and reduce dependence on food imports.
During discussions on the next generation of the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy, known as ECOWAP, regional officials emphasized that agricultural strategies must move beyond policy documents and translate into practical investments that benefit farmers, businesses and communities.
Senegalese Agriculture Minister Cheikhou Oumar Ba said the new framework should prioritize food sovereignty, agricultural value creation, employment, resilience and regional integration.
The revised ECOWAP framework is being developed with a horizon toward 2035 and is expected to align West Africa’s agricultural strategy with several major continental and regional initiatives. These include the African Union’s Kampala Declaration, the CAADP 2026–2035 cycle, ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, or AfCFTA.
Greater participation by women, young people and producer organizations is also expected to form an important part of the strategy. ECOWAS is also looking to increase private-sector financing, agricultural digitalization, and stronger regional markets for West African agricultural products.
From National Agriculture to a Regional Food Market
The regional dimension could be particularly important.
West Africa has significant agricultural resources but continues to import substantial quantities of food. A more integrated agricultural system could allow countries to produce according to their strengths while increasing the movement of food and agricultural products across national borders.
Improved regional processing and value chains could also help West African countries capture more economic value from agricultural production rather than exporting raw commodities and importing higher-value finished products.
The connection with AfCFTA could further expand the opportunity by giving West African producers greater access to markets elsewhere on the continent.
For ECOWAS, the challenge between now and 2035 will therefore be implementation. If the new ECOWAP succeeds in translating regional commitments into investment, infrastructure, financing, production and cross-border trade, agriculture could become an increasingly important driver of food security, employment and West African economic integration.