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A delegation from CORAF, led by its Chairman of the Board, Dr Kalifa TRAORÉ, its Executive Director, Dr Moumini SAVADOGO, and its Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Emmanuel NJUKWE, visited the Equatorial Guinean capital, Malabo, from March 30 to March 1, 2025.

As part of a series of missions undertaken by CORAF to strengthen institutional and technical collaboration with member states and technical and financial partners in Central Africa, the delegation was granted an audience with the President of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) Commission, Hon. Baltasar Engonga Edjo'o. 

It was an opportunity for the delegation to present CORAF's operational plan roadmap for the period 2023-2027 to the President of CEMAC. 

The CORAF PCA and his delegation also shared the achievements of the various projects and initiatives underway at CORAF. The results achieved by CORAF in various fields such as biohazard management, climate-smart agriculture, access to better quality seeds, joint efforts for the homologation and harmonization of agricultural policies, resource mobilization and the implementation of projects and programs with reference to the post-Malabo agenda 2026-2035 were also presented to the CEMAC delegation.

The reinforcement of CORAF's actions expected in the CEMAC region

CORAF intends to step up its activities in the CEMAC region over the next few years. This deployment of CORAF's activities is in line with CORAF's strategy to accelerate the implementation of its activities in Central Africa, in line with its strategy to accelerate the implementation of its activities in Central Africa, in line with its strategy to accelerate the implementation of its activities in Central Africa, in line with CORAF's strategy to accelerate the implementation of its activities in Central Africa.

During the discussions, the President of the CEMAC Commission requested CORAF's support in providing technical assistance for restructuring producers into associations and cooperatives, including actors and stakeholders along commodity value chains, in order to boost agricultural production and productivity in CEMAC member countries. 

It also expects CORAF to implement initiatives to develop appropriate and adapted infrastructures to facilitate producers' access to markets. 

"The lack of storage, processing and marketing infrastructure contributes to a high proportion of post-harvest losses in the CEMAC sub-region. Improving them will not only reduce food waste, but also improve product quality, increase economic value for farmers and enhance food security".explained the President of the CEMAC Commission, Hon. Baltasar ENGONGA EDJO'O. 

"Furthermore, improving infrastructure and trade is essential to economic growth, poverty reduction, social development and regional integration, as it facilitates the efficient movement of goods, services and people, reduces costs and promotes competitiveness " he also stressed. 

These CEMAC priorities are to be integrated into the future actions of CORAF, which is already implementing various projects in the six countries making up this economic area, including Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic. All of the CEMAC Commission's priorities are in line with those of CORAF, which is already working to build resilience and improve food, nutritional and economic security in West and Central Africa.

Equatorial Guinea to join CORAF 

Ahead of the meeting with the President of the CEMAC Commission, the CORAF delegation met the previous day with the Equatorial Guinean Minister of Agriculture Don Jose-Juan NDONG and his close collaborators. 

The meeting provided an overview of CORAF's governance structure, mission, mandate, vision and operational framework. Discussions highlighted Equatorial Guinea's interest in joining CORAF in order to benefit from CORAF's activities to transform agri-food systems in West and Central Africa.

Taking part in the meeting and appreciating CORAF's various projects and initiatives, the Director General of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Nicanor ELA NCOGO ABOGO, thanked CORAF for its visit and expressed Equatorial Guinea's willingness to join CORAF as a member country. 

"In the next few days, our country will officially submit a letter of expression of interest in joining CORAF for consideration", said Mr. Nicanor ELA NCOGO ABOGO.said Mr. Nicanor ELA NCOGO ABOGO. 

In addition to this expressed interest in becoming a NARS member of CORAF, the Minister of Agriculture of Equatorial Guinea and his collaborators have requested technical assistance from CORAF for the creation of a national agricultural research center, and for the development of a national agricultural policy and staff capacity building. 

Read also:

• CORAF supports the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy of the Economic Community of Central African States 

• ECCAS invites CORAF to support Central African States