AgriConnect Guinea Pact Launched to Transform Agriculture, Boost Jobs and Food Security

A core pillar of the pact is the prioritisation of key agricultural value chains with strong potential for both domestic consumption and export growth.

Guinea has taken a major step toward transforming its agriculture sector and tackling food insecurity with the launch of the AgriConnect Guinea Pact, a multi-partner initiative aimed at turning agri-food systems into a key engine of economic growth and job creation.

At the launch event, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reaffirmed its commitment to work alongside the Government of Guinea, the World Bank Group, and other development partners to drive the initiative forward — leveraging decades of experience in supporting smallholder farmers and building resilient, market-oriented food systems.

A Comprehensive Strategy for Agricultural Transformation

The AgriConnect Guinea Pact is designed as a holistic, large-scale intervention to modernise agriculture and strengthen food and nutrition security in a country where nearly half the population still lives below the international poverty line.

The initiative aligns closely with Programme Simandou 2040, Guinea's long-term development vision, and focuses on transforming agriculture into a sustainable driver of:

• Food security

• Employment generation

• Economic diversification

"Through the AgriFARM project, IFAD is well placed to contribute to all AgriConnect programmes, promoting inclusive and sustainable rural transformation," said Ann Turinayo, IFAD Country Director for Guinea.

Targeting High-Impact Value Chains

A core pillar of the pact is the prioritisation of key agricultural value chains with strong potential for both domestic consumption and export growth.

Primary focus areas include:

• Rice and poultry — to reduce dependence on imports of staple foods

• Fonio — a traditional grain gaining international recognition

• Maize, soybeans, and mangoes — as high-value and complementary crops

By strengthening these sectors, the programme aims to improve productivity, enhance value addition, and open new market opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.

Driving Jobs and Empowering Youth and Women

One of the most ambitious targets of AgriConnect is the creation of hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs by 2030, particularly for young people and women, who are often excluded from formal economic opportunities.

The initiative will focus on:

• Expanding access to finance and markets

• Supporting agribusiness development

• Promoting entrepreneurship in rural areas

• Strengthening skills and value chain participation

Development experts say such targeted investments are critical to addressing unemployment while building more inclusive rural economies.

Reducing Import Dependence and Expanding Exports

Guinea currently relies heavily on imports for key food products, especially rice and poultry. AgriConnect aims to reverse this trend by boosting domestic production and improving supply chains.

At the same time, the initiative seeks to enhance Guinea's export potential, particularly for niche and high-demand products such as fonio and mangoes, positioning the country more competitively in regional and global markets.

Building on Strong Agricultural Foundations

Agriculture remains one of the pillars of Guinea's economy, alongside mining. Despite recent economic growth driven by these sectors, poverty and food insecurity persist — highlighting the need for more inclusive and diversified development strategies.

The AgriConnect Pact is intended to bridge this gap by ensuring that economic growth translates into tangible improvements in livelihoods.

IFAD's Long-Term Commitment to Rural Development

IFAD's involvement brings decades of experience in Guinea, where the organisation has been active since 1980. Over the years, it has invested more than US$270 million across 15 projects, contributing to a total programme value exceeding US$615 million.

These initiatives have directly benefited over 650,000 rural households, helping to:

• Increase incomes

• Improve food security

• Enhance living conditions

Officials say this track record positions IFAD as a key partner in delivering the AgriConnect vision.

A Turning Point for Guinea's Rural Economy

With strong backing from international partners and alignment with national development priorities, the AgriConnect Guinea Pact represents a significant opportunity to reshape the country's agricultural landscape.

By integrating investment, policy support, and value chain development, the initiative aims to create a more resilient, productive, and inclusive agri-food system — one capable of feeding the nation, generating jobs, and driving long-term economic growth.