The National Association of Black Journalists awarded the “Salute to Excellence” award to the “Technologies for Agricultural Transformation” initiative African” from the African Development Bank (AfDB). A way to recognize the Bank's excellence in media relations and online marketing as part of this historic initiative, also known as TAAT.

The Technologies for the Transformation of African Agriculture” or TAAT initiative aims globally to increase food production by 100 million tons in the food production of Africa and to lift 40 million people out of poverty by 2025. This program wins the “Salute to Excellence” award from the National Association of Black Journalists, America's largest organization of journalists and media professionals of color. The awards were announced on Saturday at a gala organized as part of the joint convention of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Indeed, an online marketing campaign highlighted the impact of the TAAT program, which provides climate-friendly agricultural technologies to millions of African farmers, thus helping African countries to produce more food. For Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture and Human and Social Development at the AfDB, this recognition from the National Association of Black Journalists comes at a time when African and global food security is threatened by the Russian war in Ukraine. “Our Bank's communications make it possible to tell the world, through the stories of African farmers participating in the TAAT program, that Africa has solutions to boost its food production and reduce its dependence on cereal imports from the region Black Sea,” she said. She adds: “The “Salute to Excellence” award also honors the Bank's staff, consultants and partners who work within these communities to improve the quality of life of African people. Their expertise helped shape our communication campaign.”