Bamako to host landmark agricultural forum for Sahel States Alliance
From September 18 to 20, Bamako will host a strategic agricultural development forum organized by the Sahel States Alliance (AES) comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The meeting aims to advance food sovereignty and modernize agricultural systems across the region.
The forum will focus on modernizing value chains, improving access to inputs, building climate resilience, and promoting local production.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the AES economies: it contributed 33.45% to Mali’s GDP in 2024, 18.59% in Burkina Faso, and nearly 40% in Niger, where it employs 80% of the workforce.
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Established in July 2024, the AES brings together 71.4 million people with a collective GDP of $62.38 billion.
The alliance has already launched joint initiatives including a regional military force, an investment bank, a common biometric passport, and the elimination of roaming charges.
In agriculture, the recently created Alliance of Agricultural Seed Producers of the Sahel (APSA-Sahel) seeks to boost local seed production.
Held against a backdrop of insecurity, climate change, and import dependency, the Bamako forum represents a critical step toward structured and sustainable cooperation.
It aims to transform the Sahel’s challenges into opportunities while reinforcing regional integration and self-sufficiency.
Neil CAMARA
