14 Million Farmers to Benefit as AfDB, IITA Launch $16.6m Climate-Resilient Agriculture Initiative

An additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable African countries are set to benefit from a major climate-resilient agriculture initiative backed by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

The intervention follows the signing of a $16.61 million grant agreement between AfDB and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Programme (TAAT-III).

The programme is funded by the African Development Fund — the Bank Group’s concessional financing window — and aims to consolidate earlier gains while accelerating climate-resilient food production across the continent.

Scaling Proven Agricultural Innovation

TAAT-III builds on the success of earlier phases, which have already reached nearly 25 million farmers and expanded climate-smart agricultural practices across more than 35 million hectares of farmland.

The new phase will:

Reinforce seed and technology distribution systems

Deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses

Expand digital tools, including technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms

Introduce a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model

According to AfDB, the programme has increased crop yields by up to 69% and generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value since its launch in 2018.

Strengthening Africa’s Food Systems

Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, described TAAT-III as a critical step toward transforming Africa’s food systems.

“TAAT-III allows us to deepen the delivery of science-based solutions that improve farmers’ yields and livelihoods. Working with the Bank and our partners, we are scaling technologies that make Africa’s food systems more resilient and competitive,” Ehui stated.

The initiative works closely with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and national and regional partners to deploy high-impact innovations.

Nigeria Records Strong Gains

Countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have recorded notable productivity improvements under previous TAAT interventions.

Nigeria, in particular, has emerged as a key beneficiary. Under its Wheat Compact initiative, farmers adopting improved heat-tolerant varieties more than doubled yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare.

Programme-supported seed system assessments have also informed national reforms aimed at expanding access to certified climate-resilient seeds.

Focus on Speed and Scale

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, emphasized that TAAT-III will prioritize faster scaling of proven technologies.

“TAAT-III underscores the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that proven, climate-resilient agricultural technologies reach farmers faster and at scale. This phase strengthens the systems that deliver innovation, helping countries boost productivity, enhance resilience, and align agricultural transformation efforts with the Bank’s Four Cardinal Points,” Kamara said.

Driving Climate-Resilient Growth

With Africa facing mounting climate pressures, food insecurity, and rising population demands, TAAT-III represents a strategic push to scale science-based agricultural solutions capable of boosting productivity while strengthening resilience.

The latest $16.61 million commitment signals AfDB’s continued prioritization of agriculture as a cornerstone of inclusive economic growth across the continent.