West African policy makers should prepare for future challenges from climate change as they address the pressing needs of broad-based economic growth. Maize, millet, rice, and sorghum are the major cereal crops in the region, yet yields from these crops are very low compared to the world average and even other regions in Africa. Impacts from a changing climate will challenge production systems already under pressure to produce more to feed a growing population.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

Cotonou, 15 November 2012. --The WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Luis SAMBO has commended the commitment of governments, development partners and other health stakeholders in the ongoing efforts to prevent and control meningitis in the Meningitis belt of the African Region.

26/10/2012 – In response to serious flooding in Benin, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad since the beginning of the rainy season, the European Commission has committed €1 million of humanitarian funding to over 95,000 of those worst affected.

Much of the funding will go towards providing emergency shelter and basic household items to those who have lost nearly everything. Another significant portion will aim to ensure access to clean water and sanitation, and in doing so limit the risk of epidemics.

Will build strong partnerships for hunger eradication

18 October 2012, Rome - Eliminating hunger in West Africa is the main objective of a new project launched by West African countries, Germany and FAO.

N°: 263/2012

26 septembre 2012 [Abuja - Nigeria]

La 4e conférence des ministres de l’Education de la CEDEAO se tiendra le samedi 6 octobre 2012 à Abuja, au Nigéria. Elle sera essentiellement consacrée à l’examen de trois grands programmes : l’Enseignement technique et la formation professionnelle (ETFP), le Système d’information sur la gestion de l’éducation (SIGE) et l’Education pour la paix.

N°: 262/2012

26 September 2012 [Abuja - Nigeria]

The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh, has called on members of the Community Parliament to intensify support to regional leaders for the consolidation of peace and security in West Africa.

In particular, he enjoined the regional law makers to help ensure that electoral processes in Member States are peaceful, transparent and credible, and that “good economic and political governance as well as the fight against corruption should be institutionalized in our Member States.”

N°: 238/2012

4 septembre 2012 [ABUJA-NIGERIA]

Le rapport d’étape 1 vers la mise en œuvre du Système d’information sur le secteur agricole de la CEDEAO (ECOAGRIS) a été examiné et adopté ce mardi 4 septembre 2012 à Abuja par des techniciens et experts du secteur de l’agriculture venus de sept Etats membres et d’institutions partenaires de la Communauté.

Le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD) et la Communauté Economique des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO) ont conjointement lancé une nouvelle initiative visant à accroître la production alimentaire, à créer des emplois et des revenus pour les agriculteurs, notamment les petits exploitants et les PME, par le développement des chaînes de valeur agricoles en Afrique de l'Ouest.