Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially formed the Alliance of Agricultural Seed Producers of the Sahel (APSA-Sahel), a new regional initiative aimed at achieving seed sovereignty and strengthening food security across the Sahel.

The creation of the alliance, announced by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Agriculture Denis Ouédraogo, reflects a shared commitment by the three countries to take greater control of their farming systems as they face growing climate, economic, and political challenges.

APSA-Sahel is focused on reducing the region’s dependence on foreign seed imports by promoting local seed varieties and expanding cooperation in seed research, production, and distribution.

The alliance plans to support farmers by giving them better access to high-quality seeds that are adapted to the Sahel’s tough, dry conditions.

By combining their resources and knowledge, the three countries aim to build stronger, more resilient food systems.

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According to Sputnik Africa, the alliance will work in three key ways: by producing and marketing seeds that can thrive in the Sahel’s climate, by enabling free circulation of these seeds across member states, and by helping the region achieve greater food sovereignty.

This new push for agricultural independence comes as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger continue to distance themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and work toward building a self-reliant economic bloc under their Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Since leaving ECOWAS, the AES states have introduced coordinated policies aimed at deeper regional integration.

One of the most symbolic steps is the launch of a common AES passport to replace the ECOWAS travel document, making it easier for people, goods, and services to move freely within the bloc.

This passport strengthens the sense of shared identity and sovereignty, while also simplifying cross-border trade.

At the same time, the AES countries have withdrawn from the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme, clearing the path for a new trade framework that supports their vision of economic independence.

The formation of APSA-Sahel marks a key step in this strategy, as it reflects the Sahel states’ determination to build agricultural and economic systems that are less vulnerable to external shocks, sanctions, and trade disruptions.

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