AfDB Awards $16.6m to IITA to Scale Climate-Smart Farming Across Africa

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $16.61 million (about ₦22.5 billion at current exchange rate) grant to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to drive the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT-III) programme, aimed at accelerating climate-resilient food production across the continent.

The agreement, signed on February 18, 2026, in Abuja, reinforces a joint commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding collaboration among research institutions, governments and private-sector players.

Launched in 2018, TAAT has emerged as one of Africa’s most impactful agricultural innovation platforms. The programme has already:
• Reached nearly 25 million farmers
• Expanded climate-resilient practices across 35 million hectares
• Increased crop yields by up to 69%
• Generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value

Working in partnership with CGIAR centres and national institutions, TAAT has reportedly delivered measurable productivity gains in countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, helping farmers withstand climate shocks while boosting staple crop output.

Nigeria’s Wheat Breakthrough
Nigeria stands out as a key beneficiary. Under the programme’s Wheat Compact, farmers who adopted improved heat-tolerant wheat varieties more than doubled yields, from 1.7 tonnes per hectare to 3.5 tonnes per hectare.

Seed system assessments supported by TAAT also informed policy reforms aimed at expanding access to certified, climate-resilient seeds, a critical pillar in Nigeria’s drive toward food security.

Focus on Faster, Scalable Innovation
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank’s Nigeria Country Department, said TAAT-III will prioritise speed and scale.

“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 Cardinal Points.”

The new phase is financed through the African Development Fund (ADF), the Bank Group’s concessional window for low-income countries. TAAT-III will consolidate earlier achievements while introducing a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model.

Planned enhancements include:
• Stronger seed and technology distribution systems
• Deeper partnerships with governments and agribusinesses
• Expansion of digital tools such as technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms

Science-Based Solutions at Scale
Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, said the new funding would deepen science-led interventions across Africa.

“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.”

TAAT also played a pivotal role in supporting AfDB’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, enabling countries to deploy improved seeds and technologies rapidly during recent global supply disruptions.

14 Million More Farmers Targeted
Under TAAT-III, the programme is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries served by the African Development Fund.

By embedding innovation within long-term national agricultural investment strategies, the initiative aims not only to increase yields but to transform Africa’s food systems into more resilient, competitive and climate-smart engines of growth.