In Africa, food production over the past 30 years has risen by only 2% per annum. The average percentage per capita food availability is 80-90% of the requirements. With a projected population growth of at least 2.8-3% per annum, agricultural production in Africa would have to grow each year by 4%.
Throughout the continent of Africa, where farming contributes more than 50% of the GDP in most countries, the production of agricultural commodities grew by an average of 1.5% per annum between 1970 and 1980, while the rate of population growth ranged between 2.8 and 3%. Between 1960 and 1980, the degree of self-sufficiency in food in sub-Sahara Africa fell from 98% to 86%. Food imports rose to make up for the deficit, covering 14% of the food needs in 1980 and consisting of 20.4 million tonnes of cereals, to which should be added 1.5 million tonnes of food and aid received in various forms.
In such a context, agricultural development for food security is necessary and requires that international collaborative research be properly understood. If well understood, international collaborative research could then become an asset from which a sustainable agricultural system can be built. To achieve this goal, greater attention will need to be given to the promotion of international collaborative research contexts. As a way of exploiting these issues, this paper explains why collaborative research is important and the role of international collaborative research in Africa. Examples of these activities in some African Countries and a case study related to the NERICA evolution in Guinea are presented to illustrate the critical importance of partnership research contexts. Ways of implementing this in research programs are also presented. Finally, the main challenges facing international collaborative research in West Africa and areas that need further attention in the future will be outlined.