Detected for the first time in West Africa at the beginning of 2016, the fall armyworm mainly attacks maize but it can also attack rice and sorghum, as well as cotton and some vegetables. Fall armyworm is a serious concern to Sahelian and West African farmers as it can cause significant yield losses and can negatively affect their livelihoods and food security. Considering the transborder nature of the pest, which spreads easily across the area, the situation requires a strong, co-ordinated regional response. Read on

For the seventh time, UEMOA leaders met to discuss the food and nutrition situation in member countries. The UEMOA high-level committee was held on 10 July in Niamey. Considering the critical pastoral situation, ministers in charge of livestock also participated in this event. Within the UEMOA area, some 3.5 million people are currently in a crisis situation and need urgent food assistance, notably in the Sahelian countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal). Read on

Since 2004, it has become routine for ECOWAS and UEMOA leaders to meet twice a year to discuss synergies and co-operation priorities. However, the 17th meeting, held on 4 June 2018 in Abuja, was the first one with the new ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Marcel Brou and UEMOA Commission President Abdallah Boureima. They discussed progress that has been made in various areas of co-operation, notably in the fields of agriculture, education, infrastructure and fiscal policies and in the harmonisation of the institutions’ legal frameworks. Read on

On 14 May, the three Prime Ministers of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali launched a special economic zone in the SKBo triangle, composed of the regions of Sikasso (Mali), Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) and Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire). It is the first special economic zone in West Africa that operates across borders. Read on