Ivory coast reviews regional dairy sector integration under ECOWAS program
Abidjan is hosting a crucial mid-term review workshop from August 5 to 8, 2025, to evaluate the progress of the Regional Support Program for Professional and Peasant Agricultural Organizations in West Africa (PRAOP3).
This initiative, supported financially by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, is spearheaded by ECOWAS through its Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), aiming to transform the dairy sector across 11 West African and Sahel countries.
Now in its third phase, PRAOP3 has been implementing innovative models such as family-style mini-dairy farms, intensive dairy farming units, multi-service collection centers, mini-processing dairies, and innovation platforms that serve local stakeholders.
After two years of operational activities, this workshop is designed to provide a critical assessment and foster accountability among partners.
At the opening session on August 5, Ms Massandjé Touré Litse, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, highlighted that PRAOP3 forms a cornerstone of ECOWAS’s regional agricultural policy.
She described the program as a flagship effort that supports youth employability in agro-forestry, pastoral, fisheries sectors, and specifically promotes the local milk industry.
“This project aims to contribute to reducing unemployment, rural exodus and uncontrolled migration of young West Africans by integrating them sustainably into these vital economic sectors,” Ms Touré explained.
PRAOP3’s strategy revolves around three pillars: promoting technical and economic models to boost youth employment in value chains, fostering an enabling environment for local milk sector development, and strengthening ECOWAS operational and strategic capacities.
The program targets the development of 24 technical-economic models led by professional organisations and aims to generate 17,500 decent and well-paid jobs for young men and women across the participating countries.
Colonel Guillaume Dadi Seri Kpa, Inspector General representing the Ivorian Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, welcomed the workshop as “a tremendous opportunity for the development and transformation of the local milk sector and a concrete response to youth employment challenges.” He stressed the importance of intensifying regional collaboration to “make youth a real engine of wealth creation for the states.”
He also noted the persistent challenges faced by the dairy sector, such as poor market integration and inadequate processing capacities. This mid-term workshop will critically analyse ongoing project results and measure gaps relative to the set objectives, aiming to refine the path forward for this vital regional initiative.
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