
West and Central Africa
About
The West and Central Africa (WCA) region comprises various ecological areas, from the sub-humid and mostly dry Guinea and Sudan savanna in the north to the more southern humid forests that receive ample rainfall in the south. The dominant agroecological zones in the Central Africa region are the humid forest and semi-arid tropics, which are host to some of the last remaining primary forests in Africa. The most prominent farming systems are forest-based, root crop systems, cereal-root crop systems, and tree crop systems.
CGIAR works across the following countries in the WCA region: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
The Regional Integrated Initiative for WCA is focused on Transforming Agri-Food Systems for the region. CGIAR’s vision of success for the WCA region entails strong research for development capacity in key farming systems within the major agroecological zones and the establishment of high-value crops and enterprises suited to different impact zones. This involves farmers in various climates adopting area-specific innovations: for example, cereal, cowpea, and livestock integration in the dry savannas, consolidated gains for cassava in lowland areas, and enhanced and diversified maize-legume farming system integration in the moist savannas.
Work in this region is further coordinated by the Regional Director for Continental Africa.
Challenges and Opportunities
West Africa
- Rural poverty is a persistent challenge in West Africa, underscored by ethnic and gender disparities.
- Weak structures and institutions result in an insecure land tenure system, and failures in agricultural policies, impacting food systems.
- West Africa can leverage the advantage of its strong youth workforce and access to regional and international market destinations.
- Increased donor and government support, as well as the presence of strong multisectoral organizations, offer opportunities for agricultural research for development.
Central Africa
- High population growth rates and low productivity of agricultural resources pose challenges for food systems in Central Africa.
- Weak land tenure systems, ethnic clashes and political conditions are a source of instability.
- As in West Africa, rural poverty is a persistent challenge.
- Strong innovations and system synergies are already delivering impact in Central Africa. Opportunities exist to scale these successes and achieve wider impact through partnerships and engagement in research and policy.
- Central Africa can leverage the advantage of access to regional and international markets, and an ecosystem of strong multisectoral organizations.
Research and Action
Responding to regional demands and expectations, CGIAR’s work in West and Central Africa will:
- Improve livelihoods, lifting 11.5 million people out of poverty.
- Enhance food and nutrition security.
- Increase employment.
- Preserve natural resource integrity, revitalizing 7.5 million hectares of farmland across Africa.
Initiatives
Explore CGIAR Initiatives in West and Central Africa

Innovations
Explore 50 years of CGIAR Innovations in West and Central Africa

Partners
For the implementation of CGIAR operations in WCA, partnerships at multiple levels are key. In addition to the peer relationships linking CGIAR and National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), strong engagement and integration are pursued with African regional and continental bodies, such as the Africa Union Commission (AUC), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), and the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).
The need for strategic partnerships goes beyond traditional research partners to include partnerships with intermediation organizations involved in delivery and scaling of research products and technologies for achieving impact. This includes strengthening engagement with the private sector and exploring private-public-producer engagement models. Engagement with youth in agribusiness and agricultural entrepreneurship will also be deepened as part of the delivery framework toward impact at scale.
Publications
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Toward the inclusion of environmental considerations in Livestock Master Plans
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)27.01.23-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
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Gender-differentiated farmers' perception of climate risk and its impact, access to climate information, and adaptation strategies in Senegal
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)27.01.23-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Gender equality, youth & social inclusion
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Aligned monitoring and reporting frameworks for climate and development: expectations v. reality
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)04.12.22-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Partnership approach to maize development praised in new study
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)28.11.22-
Biodiversity
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Environmental health & biodiversity
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It’s time to invest in the continent’s regional organisations
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)11.11.22-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Network for Enabling Tools, Technologies, and Shared Services - Proposal
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)11.11.22-
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
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News
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CIP and IRRI collaborate on CGIAR Seed Equal Initiative workshop for potato crops in Africa
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)16.01.23-
Food security
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Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
The CGIAR Initiative Seed Equal- Delivering Genetic Gains to Farmers Fields held a workshop in…
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Five ways CGIAR accelerated crop breeding in 2022
CGIAR Initiative on Accelerated Breeding05.01.23-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Nutrition, health & food security
CGIAR has a rich history of crop breeding results, but modern challenges abound. Too many…
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For women in Ivory Coast, processing cassava no longer has to be a grind
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)02.01.23-
Gender equality, youth & social inclusion
Attieke is the national dish of Ivory Coast. Served with fried fish or a vegetable…
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Agroecology versus alternative concepts
CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology07.12.22-
Environmental health
A first seminar in the series: Foster common understanding of agroecology Authors: Chris Dicken…
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Co-design of agroecological transition pathways: Outcomes of an early Pause and Reflect of the CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology
CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology06.12.22-
Biodiversity
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Environmental health
Agroecology is gaining momentum. The CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology can be seen as a strong…
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NARES-CGIAR Global Networks adapt Breeding Program Modernization in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)06.12.22-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
Meeting the goals of food security while addressing the threat of climate change requires a…
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