We assessed 32 companies in the regional ranking for Western and Central Africa. We measured company activity in the six measurement areas that are considered key for increasing access to quality seeds of improved varieties for smallholder farmers in the region.

Bayer leads the 2021 Western Central Africa ranking with a score of 63.8 out of 100. Bayer was not included in 2019, although Monsanto, which Bayer acquired since then, was ranked 16th. Bayer’s first position is based on an ambitious and all-around program to reach smallholders in the region.

Thailand’s East-West Seed ranks 2nd, one place higher than 2019. It is widely present and performs strongly in all measurement areas but has not (yet) invested in seed production in the region.

The Novalliance Group with HQ in France ranks third, consisting of former number 2 Technisem and Nakosem, Tropicasem, and Semagri. The Novalliance Group has the most expansive presence in the region, covering 20 countries and offering training in 13 of them.

In the fourth position is global company Advanta (UAE), assessed for the first time for the index. Nigeria-based Value Seeds, in 2019 leading, still ranks high, but now in 5th position.

Companies at the lower end of the ranking generally disclose limited information.

Ranking overview

32 companies

Total score out of 100 Governance and strategy out of 10 Genetic resources and intellectual property management out of 15 Research and development out of 20 Seed production out of 15 Marketing and sales out of 25 Capacity building out of 15
1 Bayer
Total score 63.8 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 10.0 /15
Research and development 10.8 /20
Seed production 8.4 /15
Marketing and sales 18.8 /25
Capacity building 8.3 /15
2 East-West Seed
Total score 56.9 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 8.1 /15
Research and development 15.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 16.4 /25
Capacity building 9.0 /15
3 Novalliance Group
Total score 56.1 /100
Governance and strategy 1.7 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 3.8 /15
Research and development 15.0 /20
Seed production 10.3 /15
Marketing and sales 16.4 /25
Capacity building 9.0 /15
4 Advanta
Total score 55.0 /100
Governance and strategy 5.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 9.4 /15
Research and development 10.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 16.4 /25
Capacity building 14.3 /15
5 Value Seeds
Total score 54.3 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 1.3 /15
Research and development 10.0 /20
Seed production 6.6 /15
Marketing and sales 15.6 /25
Capacity building 15.0 /15
6 Rijk Zwaan
Total score 47.8 /100
Governance and strategy 4.2 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 10.6 /15
Research and development 10.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 11.7 /25
Capacity building 11.3 /15
- Seed Co
Total score 47.8 /100
Governance and strategy 3.3 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 5.6 /15
Research and development 13.3 /20
Seed production 9.4 /15
Marketing and sales 9.4 /25
Capacity building 6.8 /15
8 Syngenta Group
Total score 42.1 /100
Governance and strategy 3.3 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 11.3 /15
Research and development 7.5 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 11.7 /25
Capacity building 8.3 /15
9 Premier Seed
Total score 36.3 /100
Governance and strategy 1.7 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 2.5 /15
Research and development 9.2 /20
Seed production 7.5 /15
Marketing and sales 12.5 /25
Capacity building 3.0 /15
10 Limagrain
Total score 34.7 /100
Governance and strategy 3.3 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 6.9 /15
Research and development 10.0 /20
Seed production 3.8 /15
Marketing and sales 7.0 /25
Capacity building 3.8 /15
11 M&B Seeds
Total score 28.2 /100
Governance and strategy 4.2 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 3.1 /15
Research and development 4.2 /20
Seed production 7.5 /15
Marketing and sales 6.3 /25
Capacity building 3.0 /15
12 NAFASO
Total score 27.6 /100
Governance and strategy 3.3 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 2.5 /15
Research and development 2.5 /20
Seed production 3.8 /15
Marketing and sales 11.7 /25
Capacity building 3.8 /15
13 Sakata
Total score 23.3 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 3.1 /15
Research and development 3.3 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 9.4 /25
Capacity building 7.5 /15
14 Corteva Agriscience
Total score 20.2 /100
Governance and strategy 4.2 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 1.9 /15
Research and development 3.3 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 7.0 /25
Capacity building 3.8 /15
15 Da-Allgreen Seeds
Total score 20.1 /100
Governance and strategy 1.7 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 2.5 /15
Research and development 5.0 /20
Seed production 4.7 /15
Marketing and sales 6.3 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
16 Takii
Total score 17.7 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 2.5 /15
Research and development 7.5 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 5.5 /25
Capacity building 2.3 /15
17 FAGRI
Total score 16.4 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 1.3 /15
Research and development 3.3 /20
Seed production 5.6 /15
Marketing and sales 4.7 /25
Capacity building 1.5 /15
18 Bejo
Total score 13.3 /100
Governance and strategy 0.8 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 6.3 /15
Research and development 1.7 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 1.6 /25
Capacity building 3.0 /15
19 BILOHF
Total score 11.1 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 2.5 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 4.7 /15
Marketing and sales 3.9 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
20 BASF
Total score 6.8 /100
Governance and strategy 0.8 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 4.4 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 1.6 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
21 Antika Company
Total score 6.4 /100
Governance and strategy 0.8 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.9 /15
Marketing and sales 3.9 /25
Capacity building 0.8 /15
22 Enza Zaden
Total score 6.3 /100
Governance and strategy 0.8 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 3.1 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 2.3 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
23 ICS
Total score 4.9 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 4.2 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 0.8 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
- KWS
Total score 4.9 /100
Governance and strategy 0.8 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 2.5 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 1.6 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
25 Agriplus Mali
Total score 4.2 /100
Governance and strategy 0.8 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 1.7 /20
Seed production 0.9 /15
Marketing and sales 0.8 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
26 Faso Kaba
Total score 2.5 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.9 /15
Marketing and sales 1.6 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
27 Maslaha Seeds
Total score 0.9 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.9 /15
Marketing and sales 0.0 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
28 Ferme Semencière AINOMA
Total score 0.0 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 0.0 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
- GAWAL
Total score 0.0 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 0.0 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
- Heritage Seeds
Total score 0.0 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 0.0 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
- SEDAB
Total score 0.0 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 0.0 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15
- SOPROSA
Total score 0.0 /100
Governance and strategy 0.0 /10
Genetic resources and intellectual property management 0.0 /15
Research and development 0.0 /20
Seed production 0.0 /15
Marketing and sales 0.0 /25
Capacity building 0.0 /15