The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT‑III) program, aimed at accelerating climate-resilient food production across Africa.
Signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, the agreement reinforces a joint commitment to modernise African agriculture through scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and fostering partnerships among governments, research institutions, and the private sector.
Since its inception in 2018, TAAT has reached nearly 25 million farmers, expanded climate-smart practices across 35 million hectares, increased crop yields by up to 69 percent, and generated over $4 billion in agricultural value. Countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have recorded notable gains in staple crop productivity and resilience to climate shocks.
In Nigeria, the Wheat Compact under TAAT has helped farmers adopting heat-tolerant varieties increase yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Seed system assessments supported by the programme have also informed national reforms to improve access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.
Abdul Kamara, Director General of AfDB’s Nigeria Country Department, said, “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.”
Financed through the African Development Fund, TAAT‑III will consolidate earlier gains while introducing a sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model. It aims to reinforce seed and technology distribution, deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses, and expand digital tools such as technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms.
Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, remarked, “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.”
The programme also featured prominently in AfDB’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, helping countries rapidly deploy improved seeds and technologies during global disruptions. TAAT‑III is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable African countries.
