ECOWAS Agency – The Trumpet Newspaper Nigeria

The Executive Director of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), Mr. Konlani Kanfitin, has called for stronger political support for the Regional Programme for Agricultural Market Integration (PRIMA) as efforts intensify to boost agricultural trade between Togo and Benin.

The engagement took place on July 28, 2026, during a meeting with the Chief of Staff to Togo’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources and Food Sovereignty, Mr. Konlani Djondiègue, who represented the Minister.

During the meeting, Kanfitin presented the key achievements of the PRIMA programme, which is coordinated by ECOWAS and implemented in both Togo and Benin.

He explained that the discussions were aimed at highlighting the programme’s regional impact and securing greater political support to facilitate cross-border agricultural trade between the two neighbouring countries.

Kanfitin reiterated ARAA’s mandate to oversee the technical implementation of regional programmes and investment plans under the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP).

According to him, the agency currently coordinates 18 major projects and programmes across the region, including PRIMA, which seeks to promote agricultural market integration, create employment opportunities for women and young people, and improve food security and nutrition among vulnerable populations.

He noted that the programme is designed to stimulate regional agricultural trade, strengthen economic cooperation, and contribute to sustainable development across West Africa.

The meeting underscored ECOWAS’ continued commitment to leveraging regional partnerships and policy support to enhance agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods within the sub-region.