TAAT-III to scale proven agricultural technologies, strengthen seed systems and reach 14 million more farmers in vulnerable countries….
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to kick-start the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation programme (TAAT-III), aimed at accelerating climate-resilient food production across the continent.
The agreement, signed in Abuja and disclosed in a statement published on the Bank’s website on Friday, reinforces ongoing efforts to modernise African agriculture through the deployment of proven technologies, stronger seed systems and closer collaboration among research institutions, governments and private sector stakeholders.
According to the AfDB, earlier phases of the programme have already expanded climate-resilient farming practices across more than 35 million hectares of land. The new phase is expected to consolidate these gains while fast-tracking delivery in low-income and climate-vulnerable countries.
Focus on Faster Scaling and Stronger Systems
Officials say TAAT-III will prioritise rapid scaling of innovation and reinforce delivery mechanisms to ensure that improved technologies reach farmers more efficiently.
Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, said the initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to expanding access to climate-smart agricultural solutions.
“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 new areas of emphasis, dubbed the Four Cardinal Points,” Kamara said.
Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, noted that the partnership would deepen the delivery of science-based solutions that directly improve farmers’ productivity and incomes.
“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 programme is financed through the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending arm. Under the new phase, TAAT-III will adopt a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model designed to crowd in investment and ensure long-term impact.
Measurable Gains Across the Continent
The AfDB said the programme has already delivered significant productivity improvements through collaboration with CGIAR and national and regional partners. Crop yields have risen by as much as 69 per cent in some countries, generating more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value.
Countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria have reported notable improvements in staple crop productivity and climate resilience.
In Nigeria, the Wheat Compact under the TAAT framework helped farmers adopting heat-tolerant wheat varieties increase yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare, more than doubling output. Seed system assessments supported by the programme have also informed reforms aimed at expanding access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.
Expanding Reach
Launched in 2018, TAAT has grown into one of Africa’s largest agricultural innovation platforms, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and improving productivity across major staple crops, according to the Bank.
TAAT-III is projected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries supported by the African Development Fund, further positioning agriculture as a central pillar in Africa’s drive for food security, climate resilience and inclusive growth.
The new grant follows closely on the heels of the Bank’s recent approval of a $200 million loan to support climate-smart, technology-driven agriculture in Nigeria, underscoring its expanding footprint in the continent’s agricultural transformation agenda.
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