As climate risks continue to challenge food systems and development priorities in West Africa, countries are embracing new tools to support smarter, evidence-based adaptation planning. The Africa Agriculture Adaptation Atlas is one such solution. From 9th to 11th July 2025, a regional sensitization and training workshop on the Atlas was held in Abidjan, Cote d Ivoire, with stakeholders across Francophone West Africa in attendance. Hosted by AGNES in liaison with the government of Ivory Coast, WASCAL and the ANPCC, the workshop united participants of government ministries, civil society and research agencies in seven countries. The intention was to launch the Atlas, show how to use it and reinforce regional cooperation on the emergence of data that may ultimately drive more aligned climate action.
A hands-on introduction to the Atlas
The Africa Agriculture Adaptation Atlas is a web-based platform developed by CIAT. It brings together climate data, agricultural models, gender-disaggregated information, and economic analysis to support adaptation decision-making. In the workshop, country teams discussed various elements of the tool with the help of guided sessions and teamwork activities. One by one, participants tested every interactive notebook of the Atlas dealing with the themes of climate risk, heat stress, livestock systems, and gender exposure among others. This practical application of the tool to real-life cases allowed the teams to get a clear understanding of the ways Atlas can be used when planning, making policies, and enhancing the design of national and subnational climate-related programs.
How users are applying the Atlas
Over the three days, representatives of the government, researchers and members of civil society all showed interest in the potential of the Atlas.
They highlighted its applicability in national development planning, especially when it comes to incorporating climate information in sector plans and priorities on adaptation therein in terms of public investment guidance. Several teams identified opportunities to apply the tool in agriculture and livestock programming, food security monitoring, early warning systems, and climate finance proposal development. The ability to visualise climate risks, map vulnerable populations, and quantify the benefits of adaptation measures was viewed as especially useful. Users appreciated Atlas’s versatility and found the information presented to be practical, accessible, and ready to support planning and implementation.
What makes the Adaptation Atlas stand out
The Atlas being user-friendly and how it simplifies complex data makes it practical to use. It allows countries to better relate science to planning by providing a centralised platform integrating climate, agricultural, and socio-economic information. In addition, the thematic scope is extensive, thus being beneficial in so many fields. For many users, it also provided an opportunity to strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration by aligning planning tools with shared climate challenges.
Strengthening regional momentum
The Abidjan training builds on earlier sessions in Central and Eastern Africa and marks a key milestone in extending the Atlas to Francophone West Africa. The growing interest across regions speaks to the relevance of the Atlas and its ability to support a continental shift toward more data-informed adaptation.
Conclusion
The Africa Agriculture Adaptation Atlas training and sensitization in Cote d’Ivoire came at a time when Francophone countries in the west of Africa needed to have a tool that was practical, all-encompassing and capable of assisting the country in decision-making. It contributed to stimulating new discussions on the use of data, the cooperation of regions, and the national approach to climate policy. The Atlas is also more than a digital platform as the rollout progresses. It is becoming a common ground on climate resilience in Africa.