African Farmers to Benefit from New $16.61 Million Agricultural Innovation Program
The signing, held on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, reinforces a shared commitment to modernizing African agriculture by scaling climate-resilient technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding collaboration among research institutions, governments, and private sector actors.
The African Development Bank Group and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to kick off the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT-III) program. The signing, held on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, reinforces a shared commitment to modernizing African agriculture by scaling climate-resilient technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding collaboration among research institutions, governments, and private sector actors.
Since its inception in 2018, TAAT has emerged as one of Africa’s most transformative agricultural innovation platforms, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and improving productivity across major staples. The initiative has introduced climate-resilient practices on over 35 million hectares, contributing to significant gains in crop yields and agricultural value. Working closely with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and national partners, TAAT has achieved up to 69 percent yield increases in some crops and generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value, with countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria recording notable improvements in both productivity and climate resilience.
Nigeria has been a prominent beneficiary of TAAT, particularly under its Wheat Compact, where farmers using improved heat-tolerant wheat varieties saw yields more than double, from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Program-supported seed system assessments have also informed national reforms to improve access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.
The third phase, TAAT-III, aims to scale innovations more rapidly, strengthen delivery systems, and introduce a private sector-driven model. Financed through the African Development Fund, the initiative will deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses, expand the use of digital tools including e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms, and accelerate deployment of high-impact agricultural solutions.
Representatives from the African Development Bank Group, IITA, and the TAAT team attended the Abuja signing ceremony. Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, highlighted that TAAT-III will enhance the delivery of science-based solutions to improve farmers’ yields and livelihoods while making Africa’s food systems more resilient and competitive.
TAAT has also played a key role in the Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, helping countries quickly deploy improved seeds and technologies during global disruptions. The third phase seeks to embed these innovations into long-term national agricultural investment strategies. TAAT-III is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries served by the African Development Fund, reinforcing Africa’s journey toward sustainable, climate-resilient food security.
