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USA Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commended the African Development Bank Group for its exceptional efforts to help Africa achieve food self-sufficiency and contribute to global food production. Secretary Blinken made these remarks during a visit hosted by African Development Bank Group President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, in Abidjan.
President Adesina welcomed Secretary Blinken’s historic visit and expressed appreciation for the strong leadership and commitment to food security.
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Dr. Adesina thanked the U.S. for its support, highlighting a new grant of $9.5 million to support the Bank’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation initiative (TAAT).
This grant is part of the U.S. Government’s “Feed the Future” global hunger initiative and will be used for the second phase of TAAT (TAAT II) to enhance food production, introduce climate-smart technologies, and expand extension services.
TAAT aims to double the productivity of staple crops, livestock, and fisheries, benefiting over 40 million agricultural producers by 2025. The initiative has already deployed climate-resilient agricultural technologies and fertilizers to 13 million African farmers across 40 countries.
Secretary Blinken acknowledged the African Development Bank’s strategic investments in sustainable production, particularly in adapting to climate change. He praised President Adesina’s leadership, stating that the Bank sets an example for others in effective and impactful initiatives.
The United States expressed its commitment to working closely with the ADB, identifying opportunities for collaboration with the U.S. State Department’s Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) activities and developing an investment strategy.
