The collaboration between the Pan African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) is set to strengthen support for small-scale farmers across the continent. A recent visit by a PAFO delegation, led by President Ibrahima Coulibaly, to the Bank’s headquarters marked a significant step in advancing the implementation of their Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2023.
During the meeting, Dr. Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture and Agro-industry at the AfDB, reiterated the Bank’s commitment to supporting small-scale farmers. He highlighted the Bank’s investments in agriculture, which have positively impacted over 14 million producers by providing inputs and improving market access. Despite the challenges in the sector, Dr. Fregene welcomed ideas from organizations like PAFO to enhance the Bank’s effectiveness in supporting farmers.
PAFO President Coulibaly outlined the organization’s mission and strategic priorities, emphasizing the importance of strategic support from the Bank to address challenges in agriculture. He highlighted the sector’s potential to address 80% of Africa’s problems and stressed the need for collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable solutions.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to co-host a High-Level Conference on Financing Small-Scale Farmers in the second quarter of 2025. This event aims to bring together stakeholders to discuss the financial needs of small-scale farmers and explore ways to improve their livelihoods. Additionally, both organizations will work on a comprehensive action plan focusing on capacity building, technology integration, and access to finance, with a specific focus on women and youth farmers.
Coulibaly expressed enthusiasm about working with the AfDB to support small-scale farmers through the Bank’s ‘Feed Africa’ strategy. He emphasized the importance of providing farmers, especially women and youth, with the necessary support and resources to succeed in the sector.
This partnership between PAFO and the AfDB aligns with the Bank’s ‘High 5’ priorities, particularly the ‘Feed Africa’ initiative. It underscores the Bank’s commitment to collaborating with civil society organizations to drive sustainable development in the agriculture sector.
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About PAFO:
Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, PAFO is a continental platform representing small-scale farmers’ organizations across Africa. It comprises regional Farmer Networks in Eastern Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, and North Africa, collectively representing millions of women and men farmers from around 50 African countries.
This renewed collaboration between PAFO and the AfDB holds promise for empowering small-scale farmers and advancing agricultural development across the continent. Through joint efforts, these organizations aim to create sustainable solutions that will benefit farmers and contribute to Africa’s overall development.
