AfDB president calls for investment in women farmers

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina has highlighted the role of women in the Agricultural sector, calling for investment that meets the needs of women in the area.

“To transform agriculture, we must recognise the critical role women play in agriculture in Africa. We must invest in measures that target the needs of women farmers including access to land, improving market access, increasing access labour-saving tools, and providing improved seeds and quality fertilisers,” Adesina said.

He made the call at a high-level meeting of Heads of States and Governments and partners for the implementation of Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) and the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiatives, held on the sidelines of the 27th African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

Adesina also emphasised the importance of financing women and de-risking the financial system to make advancing loans to women comfortable.

"Women pay back loans. They are bankable, but the banking system does not lend to them,” he said.“We want to change this; we want to de-risk the financial system and allow institutions to give loans to women.”

“[Empowering women] has the potential to lift millions out of poverty especially through agriculture.”

President Sirleaf appealed to countries to integrate women farmers’ interests in programmes for agricultural transformation in Africa. “This will ensure women are part of the economic growth and development.”