ECOWAS and WASEOA Partner to Empower 1,270 Youth Agripreneurs with $594,000 Grant
Initiative Aims to Boost Organic Farming and Agroecology Across West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has joined forces with the West African Secretariat of Ecological Organic Agriculture (WASEOA) to support 1,270 young agricultural entrepreneurs across six West African nations. The $594,000 grant program will provide training in organic farming and agroecology practices from April 2025 to March 2026.
Strategic Partnership for Youth Employment
The agreement was formalized between ECOWAS and the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN), which serves as WASEOA’s secretariat and grant disburser. The partnership was announced during a recent workshop in Lagos attended by delegates from approved training centers in Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
Jude Obi, President of NOAN, emphasized the program’s significance: “This is a crucial initiative for Nigeria and West Africa, where 60% of the population is aged 20-24. We’re addressing unemployment challenges while promoting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both human health and the environment.”
Training Focus and Implementation
The program will target youth aged 18-35, with special attention to increasing participation in Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Heuristics (ASPH) – an integrated approach combining agriculture, forestry, and livestock farming. In Nigeria, 270 participants will receive training across three zones:
- Northern Zone (Zaria): Focus on sesame and ginger production
- Eastern Zone (Anambra): Fisheries and aquaculture training
- Western Zone (Oyo): Diverse organic farming techniques
The initiative maintains a 40% female participation target and adapts training to regional agricultural specialties for maximum impact.
ECOWAS Commitment to Food Security
Koffi Gle, Chairman of ECOWAS’s Regional Steering Committee, highlighted the program’s broader objectives: “We’re addressing critical gaps in agricultural training, employment, and food security while combating youth migration. Our agricultural sector holds tremendous potential, and we’re empowering young people to become successful agribusiness owners.”
The commission is implementing its Regional Strategy for Youth Employment in Agriculture through grants to training centers, building on successful pilot programs in multiple countries.
Proven Success Stories
Emeka Iloghalu, coordinator of the Fisheries & Aquaculture program in Anambra, reported that previous participants have formed cooperatives and are establishing fish farms. Similar success stories emerged from Liberia and Togo, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in creating sustainable agricultural livelihoods.
This ECOWAS-WASEOA initiative represents a significant step toward addressing youth unemployment while promoting sustainable agricultural practices across West Africa.
Source: Business Day Nigeria