ECOWAS Strengthens Food Security in West African Countries, Including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, Through FRSP.
By Raymond Enoch
The West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) has made significant strides toward achieving its objectives implementing Food System resilience. This assertion was made by key stakeholders who gathered in Accra from March 4th – 7th, 2025.
Over 70 participants from countries across the region, including Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Chad, and Togo, convened to review the progress of the program, assess its challenges, and propose solutions to enhance its impact.
This regional wrap-up meeting, the first of the year, was pivotal in examining the FSRP’s ongoing efforts to tackle food insecurity and promote agricultural
resilience in West Africa.
The gathering included representatives from CILSS, CORAF, ECOWAS, and the World Bank, who reviewed key activities related to digital advisory services, sustainability of agricultural practices, and intra-regional trade facilitation.
Despite the socio-political and security challenges facing many of the participating countries, the FSRP achieved impressive results. The programme directly benefited 2,344,411 individuals in 2024, with 35% of those being women. Moreover, there was a notable 22.2% reduction in food insecurity in key intervention zones such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Togo, compared to the baseline year of 2022.
ECOWAS Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alain Sy Traoré, praised the integrated approach of the programme. “The synergy between regional and national actions has been a driving force behind strengthening food resilience in the region,” he said. The partnership between ECOWAS, CILSS, CORAF, and the World Bank has fostered better coordination and alignment of actions at both national and regional levels, ensuring a more cohesive and effective approach to food system resilience.
Participants at the meeting underscored the importance of improving communication between national and regional actors, stressing that mutual learning and shared strategies are vital for the programme’s success. Furthermore, discussions highlighted the integration of innovative solutions to improve food security, resilience of farming systems, and market access.
With plans for two biannual meetings each year, the FSRP aims to continuously adapt its strategies to maximize its impact and further reduce food insecurity across West Africa. As the region faces growing challenges, the collective effort of stakeholders is proving to be a critical force in building long-term resilience in food systems.
