Stakeholders in food security from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have gathered in Abuja, Nigeria, for the third meeting of the Management Committee of the Regional Food Security Reserve to enhance rapid response mechanisms while strengthening the foundation for long-term resilience to boost food production in the region.
Established in 2013 by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, the Regional Food Security Reserve assists member states, as well as Chad and Mauritania, in managing food crises.
Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Tourey-Litse, the Acting Director of the ECOWAS Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food, Mr. Mohammed Zongo, highlighted the significance of the meeting.
He emphasized its role in refining the operational framework of the Regional Reserve to improve coordination and enhance the effectiveness of collective efforts in addressing food security challenges.
Addressing participants, he emphasized the significance of this third meeting, highlighting its role in assessing the Regional Reserve’s operations since March 2023. This includes reviewing activities such as procurement, interventions, stock replenishment, technical rotations, and the identification of new storage facilities, all guided by the Executive Board’s directives.
Additionally, the meeting will serve as a platform to strategize for 2025, ensuring that planned operations effectively support Member States in assisting populations most impacted by food, nutrition, and pastoral crises.
He underscored that the discussions and resolutions will be crucial in maintaining a transparent, efficient, and fair management of the Reserve while adapting to both current and future challenges.
Discussing the broader goals of the Regional Food Security Reserve, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture highlighted the increasing role of food security stocks as essential social protection tools at the local, national, and regional levels, enabling effective responses to food crises.
“Since 2012, ECOWAS has been implementing a regional storage strategy based on three interconnected levels: local stocks, national security reserves, and the Regional Food Security Reserve (RRSA).
“This approach aims to complement Member States’ efforts by ensuring swift, diversified, and suitable food assistance during crises; fostering regional solidarity through transparent mechanisms; and reinforcing food sovereignty and integration across the region. Over the years, the Reserve has made notable progress, with a projected stock exceeding 74,000 tonnes of food stored across multiple locations, ready for rapid deployment when needed,” he stated.
Mrs. Tourey-Litse praised all stakeholders for their dedication and ongoing efforts in ensuring the success of the committee.
“I cannot conclude without acknowledging the continued collaboration of the national and regional institutions you represent.
“Your commitment has been instrumental in both shaping and implementing the Regional Food Security Reserve. I also extend my sincere appreciation to all technical and financial partners who actively support the operationalization of this regional initiative.
“In particular, I would like to recognize the contributions of the French Development Agency, the World Bank, the European Union, and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, whose support is crucial to advancing the ECOWAS Regional Storage Strategy.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, expressed concern over the worsening food security situation in West Africa and the Sahel.
He attributed the crisis to conflicts, economic instability, and the severe effects of climate change, which have left nearly 34.7 million people in urgent need of food and nutritional assistance.
“These pressing challenges highlight the critical need to reinforce our strategies and response mechanisms to effectively address the region’s food and nutrition crisis.
“They also emphasize the growing necessity for sovereign investment in agriculture and more robust response systems to food crises. A concerted effort is required to strengthen food production, strategic food storage, market stability, and price regulation, while also refining the management and administration of the regional food security reserve.”
Mr. Kyari further emphasized that since its establishment in 2013, the Regional Food Security Reserve has become a key component of the region’s collective strategy to tackle food and nutrition challenges.
“As a regional mechanism, it enhances the efforts of member states and local communities by providing timely and appropriate assistance to vulnerable populations.
“However, to maximize its impact, it is crucial to ensure that both its available resources and governance structures are equipped to meet current challenges and align with the region’s broader objectives. This requires the efficient functioning of decision-making bodies, as well as effective oversight of the reserve’s operations and interventions.”
Committee members and stakeholders attending the meeting were urged to remain dedicated and focused as they assess the reserve’s planning framework, operational strategies, and alternative storage solutions, alongside its emergency response plan.
The Regional Reserve is overseen by a Management Committee comprising representatives from ECOWAS Member States, regional institutions, producer organizations, civil society, the private sector, and technical and financial partners.
