The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have formalised a $16.61 million grant agreement to kick off the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation programme (TAAT-III), a continent-wide initiative designed to accelerate climate-smart food production.
The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, reinforces both institutions’ commitment to transforming Africa’s agricultural sector by expanding access to proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and deepening collaboration among research bodies, governments, and private sector stakeholders.
Since its launch in 2018, TAAT has emerged as a leading platform for agricultural innovation in Africa, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and significantly raising productivity in key staple crops. The programme has promoted climate-resilient farming practices across more than 35 million hectares of land.
Implemented in partnership with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and various national and regional institutions, TAAT has delivered yield increases of up to 69 percent and generated over $4 billion in added agricultural value.
Several countries—including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria—have recorded measurable improvements in staple crop output and resilience to climate-related shocks.
Nigeria, in particular, has seen strong results under the programme’s Wheat Compact initiative. Farmers who adopted improved heat-tolerant wheat varieties more than doubled their yields, increasing production from 1.7 tonnes per hectare to 3.5 tonnes per hectare.