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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced a technical review of its Common Regional Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP), as the regional bloc moves to redefine its agricultural priorities for the next decade.
The virtual technical meeting, which commenced on Tuesday, is focused on assessing the implementation of the existing policy and refining key documents that will underpin the development of a renewed ECOWAP framework.
A statement issued on Thursday said the meeting would review and finalise the draft stocktaking report, perspectives for the next 10 years and proposed strategic areas for the revised regional agricultural policy.
The review follows extensive consultations with ECOWAS Member States, regional institutions, technical partners and other stakeholders. It also incorporates additional inputs received after a regional consultation held in Banjul, The Gambia, in June 2026.
Speaking on the exercise, Ousman Sylla, a representative of Senegal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, said the review should go beyond documenting past achievements and focus on giving fresh impetus to regional agricultural development.
Senegal currently holds the rotating chairmanship of ECOWAS.
Sylla said the renewed policy must be better positioned to address emerging challenges confronting the region, particularly those relating to food security, agricultural productivity, resilience and intra-regional trade.
Adopted in 2005, ECOWAP serves as the regional framework for promoting agricultural development, food security and sustainable growth across West Africa. It seeks to improve agricultural productivity and competitiveness, strengthen regional agricultural trade and promote sustainable development.
The ongoing review is expected to provide the strategic framework for the 2026–2035 period, taking into account lessons from the 2015–2025 implementation cycle and aligning ECOWAS agricultural priorities with emerging continental objectives.
The technical review is scheduled for August 25 and 26, while a ministerial meeting is expected to take place on August 27 to consider the outcomes and provide strategic direction for the finalisation of the renewed policy.
The revised ECOWAP is expected to place greater emphasis on food and nutrition security, support for farmers and agricultural value chains, climate and economic resilience, as well as measures capable of attracting increased investment into West Africa’s agricultural sector.
The outcome of the exercise is expected to shape the region’s agricultural development agenda for the next decade and strengthen collective efforts to build a more productive, resilient and competitive agricultural sector.