Guinea secures US$35M boost for agriculture with FAO support

GUINEA – Guinea has signed a new partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to boost its agricultural sector, which contributes about 29 percent of the country’s GDP and employs nearly 58 percent of its workforce.

On October 31, 2025, in Conakry, the government of Guinea and the FAO signed the 2024–2028 Country Programming Framework (CPF). The agreement, valued at US$34.7 million, outlines priority areas for cooperation between the two partners.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, the CPF will guide technical, financial, and institutional projects in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries over the next five years.

The program will focus on strengthening governance and institutional systems, improving agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries production, and promoting resilience and social protection for rural communities.

The government says the partnership will help transform Guinea’s agri-food systems and move the country closer to food sovereignty.

“This is not just a document, but a promise to our farmers: that of a more modern, inclusive and resilient agriculture,” said Mariama Ciré Sylla, Minister of Agriculture.

Despite its vast natural endowment, Guinea’s agricultural potential remains largely underused. Official data shows that of the country’s 6.2 million hectares of arable land, only half is cultivated each year. FAO estimates indicate that while 364,000 hectares could be irrigated, only 95,000 hectares had irrigation infrastructure in place by 2023.

Agricultural experts say the CPF could help bridge this gap by increasing productivity and supporting smallholder farmers. “We must make better use of our land and water resources,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture. “This partnership gives us the technical and financial means to do that.”

Building resilience and sustainability

The FAO partnership aligns with Guinea’s broader development goals, particularly in strengthening food systems and promoting rural livelihoods. The initiative also supports social protection programs that cushion vulnerable communities against climate and market shocks.

FAO officials have emphasized that the CPF framework will align with national development priorities and global sustainable development goals. “Our focus is to support Guinea in building resilient food systems that leave no one behind,” said an FAO representative during the signing ceremony.

This new framework comes as Guinea continues to expand partnerships with international agencies to fund agricultural modernization and infrastructure. Recent developments include talks with the African Development Bank and the World Bank to strengthen value chains and support rural development projects.

Through these collaborations, the government aims to turn agriculture into a driver of growth and job creation, especially in rural areas where farming remains the backbone of the economy.

“Our farmers have always been at the heart of our nation’s progress,” Minister Sylla added. “This agreement reinforces our shared commitment to make agriculture more productive, sustainable, and rewarding for every Guinean.”

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