By Simeon Shodimu
“West and Central African nations intensify efforts toward wheat self-sufficiency as stakeholders unite in Chad to drive innovation, investment, and regional cooperation for sustainable food security”
As Africa grapples with rising food import bills and growing concerns over food security, stakeholders across West and Central Africa are intensifying efforts to reposition wheat production as a strategic pillar of economic resilience and agricultural transformation. At the 3rd Regional Wheat Summit held in N’Djamena, Chad, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and private sector players rallied around a common vision — reducing dependence on imported wheat through innovation, investment, and regional collaboration.
West, Central Africa Push For Wheat Self-Sufficiency Amid Rising Import Dependence
The growing dependence on imported wheat across West and Central Africa has emerged as a major concern for governments and agricultural stakeholders, as rising demand continues to outpace local production capacity.
Driven by rapid population growth, urbanisation, and changing dietary preferences, wheat consumption in the region has surged significantly over the years. However, local production has remained insufficient, exposing many countries to global market shocks, supply chain disruptions, and volatile food prices.
Experts warn that the heavy reliance on imports poses a serious threat to food security, especially in the face of climate change, economic uncertainties, and geopolitical instability affecting global grain markets.
These concerns dominated discussions at the 3rd Regional Wheat Summit recently held in N’Djamena, Chad, under the theme: “Accelerating Wheat Impact in West and Central Africa: Scaling Adoption, Driving Innovation, and Shaping Policy for Sustainable Growth.”
The summit, organised under the auspices of the West and Central Africa Wheat Development Network (WECAWheat), brought together policymakers, scientists, private sector operators, and development partners from across the continent and beyond.
Hosted by the Chadian Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (ITRAD) under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Chad, the gathering attracted participation from major international institutions including the African Development Bank, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), CGIAR Scaling for Impact Programme, International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), CORAF, and global wheat research networks.
Participants at the summit reaffirmed that West and Central Africa possess significant potential to boost wheat production despite existing environmental and structural challenges.
They noted that advances in agricultural research, particularly the development of heat-tolerant wheat varieties, improved agronomic practices, mechanisation, and irrigation technologies, are creating new opportunities for increased productivity and sustainable expansion of wheat farming across the region.
Stakeholders stressed, however, that achieving wheat self-sufficiency would require coordinated efforts involving governments, research institutions, development agencies, and private investors.
According to discussions at the summit, stronger policy support, improved access to quality seeds, increased mechanisation, and investment in irrigation infrastructure are critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
The summit also underscored the importance of strengthening seed systems through improved production, certification, and distribution processes to ensure farmers gain access to high-quality planting materials.
Participants further highlighted the need for sustained funding for agricultural research and innovation, describing scientific collaboration as essential to building resilient wheat production systems capable of withstanding climate-related challenges.
Beyond production, the summit drew attention to the urgent need for investment across the wheat value chain, including storage, processing, transportation, and marketing infrastructure, to improve competitiveness and create employment opportunities.
Special emphasis was placed on the inclusion of women and youth in the wheat sector, with stakeholders describing their participation as vital for sustainable agricultural growth and economic empowerment.
One of the major outcomes of the summit was the proposal to expand WECAWheat into a continent-wide platform that could evolve into an Africa-wide Wheat Development Network.
The proposed expansion is expected to strengthen knowledge sharing, scale proven innovations, and deepen collaboration among African countries working toward wheat self-sufficiency.
Ethiopia was cited during the summit as a successful example of wheat sector transformation in Africa. Participants praised the country’s rapid increase in domestic wheat production, attributing the progress to strong government policies, strategic investments, irrigation expansion, and effective public-private partnerships.
Stakeholders recommended technical exchanges, study tours, and adaptation of Ethiopia’s successful financing and policy models to suit the realities of other African countries.
At the close of the summit, participants issued the N’Djamena Call, a collective commitment aimed at transforming Africa’s wheat sector through increased political will, greater investment, accelerated adoption of climate-smart technologies, expansion of irrigated farming systems, strengthened research and seed systems, and enhanced regional cooperation.
The summit also featured a forum on agricultural technologies aligned with the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), where 23 proven agricultural innovations were identified as ready for scaling across the region.
In another major decision, Senegal was approved as host of the 4th WECAWheat Regional Wheat Summit.
Observers say the outcomes of the N’Djamena summit represent a significant step toward reducing Africa’s dependence on global wheat markets and building a resilient agricultural system capable of meeting the food needs of millions across the continent.
