By Doris Jacob
The ECOWAS Commission, as part of its Regional Strategy for Youth Employment in Agricultural Value Chains, has provided a grant of $2,238,000 to support 10 Agricultural Research Centres and five Agroecology and Organic Production Centres, including Songhai Centres, across the region.
The grant, announced on February 25, 2025, in Porto Novo, Republic of Benin, aims to train 3,850 young people, 40% of whom are women, to enhance youth employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, presented the cheques on behalf of President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, during the opening ceremony of a workshop at the Songhai Centre in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. TOURE-LITSE emphasized that the initiative aligns with ECOWAS’ vision of promoting sustainable, inclusive, and innovative agricultural development.
“Training young people is an investment in our collective future. It equips them with the necessary skills to transform agriculture, enhance productivity, and strengthen the competitiveness of our agricultural sectors. Moreover, it combats unemployment by offering concrete prospects for self-employment and entrepreneurship” she added.
On his part, the Director of the Songhai Centre, Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo commended ECOWAS for the strategic intervention.
“What we are launching today is more than just a training program—it is the foundation of a new economic paradigm. A paradigm where agriculture, industry, and services work in synergy to drive sustainable development, environmental regeneration, and wealth creation”
“It is an opportunity to redefine development in Africa, shifting from short-term interventions to transformative solutions.”
The workshop was organized to sensitize and mobilize beneficiary centres for the 2024/2025 grant, providing insights into the Regional Strategy for Youth Employment in Agricultural Value Chains and addressing the professional integration of young people in the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sectors.
