Elite agronomy training program launches in Togo through SIGMA-ESA partnership

Lomé witnessed a landmark agreement this month as the Scientific Group SIGMA and France’s École Supérieure des Agricultures (ESA) formalized a strategic collaboration to enhance agronomy engineering education in Togo. The partnership, unveiled during a media briefing, introduces a groundbreaking Scientific Preparatory Class for science baccalaureate holders, set to open with the 2026-2027 academic year.

This initiative directly addresses the growing demand for advanced agricultural expertise across West Africa, aiming to cultivate professionals capable of driving agricultural, food system, and environmental transformations on the continent.

A five-year pathway to agronomy excellence

The program spans five years, beginning with a two-year preparatory phase focused on deepening scientific foundations in agriculture, livestock, and food sciences. Successful candidates will then transition into a three-year engineering cycle at ESA’s campus in France, culminating in an agronomy engineering diploma.

“Bridging global standards with local needs”

Dr. Ingénieur Beaugrain Domongue, Director of Development and Foresight at SIGMA, emphasized the program’s mission to merge international academic rigor with local agricultural realities. “We’re connecting global excellence with local soil,” he stated. “Our goal is to empower Togolese producers with innovative tools, placing scientific knowledge at the heart of food sovereignty.”

This partnership marks a significant milestone in Togo’s higher education landscape, blending SIGMA’s local academic excellence with ESA’s internationally recognized pedagogical model.

International exposure and hands-on learning

The collaboration integrates several high-impact components:

• Annual Summer Workshop in Angers, France, providing students with immersive international exposure and networking opportunities in a leading agricultural research hub.
• Curriculum enrichment through ESA’s active learning methods, focusing on life sciences, sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and food innovation.
• Faculty development through joint training programs and participation in academic juries, ensuring Togo’s educators stay aligned with global standards.

SIGMA’s rise as a scientific powerhouse

Established in 2018, the Scientific Group SIGMA has rapidly become a beacon of scientific education in Togo. The institution operates a college, high school, and preparatory programs, all rooted in a philosophy of rigor, innovation, and international openness. Its mission: to cultivate the next generation of scientists, engineers, researchers, and leaders capable of addressing 21st-century challenges.

The new agronomy program exemplifies SIGMA’s commitment to bridging local needs with global best practices, positioning Togo as a hub for agricultural innovation in West Africa.