The Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African States, affiliated with the League of Arab States, co-organized a regional workshop on exchanging knowledge and expertise on sustainable irrigation and agricultural water management in Africa. The workshop took place in Accra, Ghana, from November 3 to 6, 2026, in collaboration with the African Union, represented by the SAFGRAD office, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations' regional office in Ghana.
The workshop was attended by Badr El-Din Ali Mohamed Al-Jaifar, Assistant Secretary-General and Director-General of the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African States. The fund's representative, Minister Plenipotentiary Sherine Adel Imam, head of the Operations Department, delivered a speech during the opening session. The session was also attended by Samuel Eric, representative of the Ghanaian government and representative of the Ghanaian Minister of Agriculture, Sami Geiji, representative of the FAO's regional office in Africa, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Maqs, head of the African Union's office for grain research and arid zones.
The Arab Fund's speech emphasized the importance of Arab-African cooperation in agricultural development and water resource management. The fund expressed its commitment to supporting African countries through technical assistance programs, capacity building, and exchanging expertise, in cooperation with specialized regional and international institutions. The workshop brought together 60 representatives from 20 African countries, including Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, and Nigeria, as well as experts and representatives from the World Bank, the International Commission for Irrigation and Drainage, and the International Water Management Institute.
The workshop covered topics such as developing irrigation policies, improving the efficiency of water resource use, modernizing irrigation systems, and employing modern technologies in agricultural water management. The event also included national presentations on the experiences of participating countries, specialized technical sessions, and a field visit to learn about one of Ghana's experiences in irrigation and agricultural water management.
The participation of the Arab Fund in this workshop reflects its commitment to expanding partnerships with African and international institutions. The fund aims to integrate efforts and expertise to implement technical assistance programs and build capacities, supporting African countries' development priorities and promoting Arab-African cooperation.
Key discussions during the workshop focused on enhancing investments and partnerships to address climate change and drought challenges. The event provided a platform for participants to share experiences and expertise, promoting sustainable irrigation practices and effective water management in Africa.
The workshop concluded with a call to action, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration and knowledge sharing to address the challenges facing agricultural development and water resource management in Africa. The Arab Fund's participation in the workshop demonstrates its ongoing commitment to supporting African countries in achieving sustainable development.
Key points
- The Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African States co-organized a regional workshop on sustainable irrigation and agricultural water management in Accra, Ghana.
- The workshop brought together representatives from 20 African countries and international institutions to share knowledge and expertise on sustainable irrigation practices.
- The event covered topics such as irrigation policy development, water resource management, and modernizing irrigation systems.
