The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) brought together government experts, farmers’ groups, and civil society organizations to validate a portfolio of climate-resilient agricultural projects. The workshop aims to mobilize investors around projects that align with regional climate strategies and national priorities.
Following earlier capacity-building sessions on project development, the meeting focuses on building stakeholder capacity to create projects that meet climate goals. Draft concept notes cover agricultural resilience, pastoralism, energy, and early warning systems for weather monitoring. ActionAid is contributing financially to the workshop and working with countries to bridge digital divides in agriculture.
West African countries face growing pressure from climate change impacts that threaten food security and economic development. The ECOWAS Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food received Green Climate Fund support to help member states build institutional capacity and prepare project portfolios. Many countries struggle to access climate finance despite having good project ideas. The workshop brings together various stakeholders to share knowledge and learn from each other’s experiences. Participants include representatives from National Designated Authorities that coordinate climate funding in their countries.
Benin’s Chief of Staff Jeanne Akakpo Adanbiokou emphasized the need for countries to work together to find ways to develop projects that can withstand climate change impacts. She opened the workshop on behalf of the Beninese Minister for Environment and Transport. ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin Amadou Diongue warned that climate change could cost Africa $50 billion per year by 2040, with GDP declining another 30% by 2050. He noted that economic losses will mainly hit agriculture and infrastructure sectors. Despite efforts to support national climate measures, ECOWAS countries face various difficulties accessing climate finance.
The ECOWAS Commission wants to help create projects that meet Green Climate Fund requirements so countries can get adequate financial resources. ActionAid is working with governments to introduce solutions like better access to agricultural finance, inputs, markets, training, technologies, insurance, and weather information. These tools can make real differences in the food production sector. The organization sees this as part of building partnerships for agricultural resilience across the region. Countries need to work together more closely to support regional climate strategies and their national commitments under the Paris Agreement.
