IFAD calls for policies to end poverty in West and Central Africa

IFAD calls for policies to empower rural youth, encourage private investment, increase access to land and finance to end poverty in West and Central Africa

Abidjan/Rome, 23 November 2016 --Youth unemployment, insecure land tenure and weak value chains are the main obstacles in the way of ending poverty and inequality in West and Central Africa, says a new report to be presented today in Abidjan by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Youth under the age of 35 account for 75 per cent of the population of the region which also has the highest number of rural youth than any other region in the world. Empowering youth is the first step towards achieving prosperity in the region, says the report.


“The lack of social and economic opportunities for the large number of young people in the region is the principal driver of migration, says Michel Mordasini, Vice-President of IFAD.  
“However, by making the right investments – to improve infrastructure, secure land tenure and facilitate their access to finance and training – we can capture the labour and energy of the young generation to transform rural areas into vibrant places to live and work,” he adds.

The Rural Development Report 2016: Fostering Inclusive Rural Transformation is a rallying call for policymakers and development practitioners to win the global war against poverty. This systematic and rigorous analysis of the rural sector gives a greater understanding of what key investments and policy reforms should be prioritized to transform rural areas in developing countries so that people and nations can benefit.

Attracting private investment into agriculture and the rural non-farm economy is vital, states the report, adding that many agricultural regulations in Africa, actually serve to deter rather than encourage such investment.

 “Reforming the regulations that limit private entry and investment in value chains that serve smallholder farmers must be a priority,” the report emphasizes.  

According to the report, food systems are changing rapidly to meet the rising demand and shifting diets of middle-class urban consumers from grains to dairy, fish, meat and vegetables. 

In addition, continued rapid growth of imports shows that there is  space for local farmers to grow their businesses if they can produce competitively.

“Rural transformation is a powerful way to overcome poverty,” says Ides de Willebois, Regional Director, West and Central Africa Division, IFAD. “We need to develop rural areas in Africa where people are willing to invest, which then will enable them to produce more, to attain a marketable surplus that can be sold at a profit and provide them with the resources to improve their livelihoods and reinvest. 

First and foremost, this requires infrastructure to make the rural areas easily accessible, not only physical infrastructure, but also IT and banking infrastructure. 

Rural transformation will provide hope and opportunity to rural youth, young women and men to build their future lives. We have no other choice.”