West Africa secures US$11.78M grant to boost rice production, reduce import dependency

WEST AFRICA – The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission have formalized a funding agreement aimed at enhancing regional rice production and reducing dependence on costly imports. 

The agreement, which includes a US$11.78 million grant from the AfDB alongside a US$1.18 million co-financing contribution from ECOWAS, is set to fund the Regional Resilient Rice Value Chains Development Program in West Africa (REWARD-ECOWAS).

Addressing West Africa’s rice supply gap

Despite West Africa’s agricultural potential, rice imports continue to account for a substantial portion of domestic consumption, placing economic strain on the region. 

In 2021, West Africa produced approximately 14 million metric tons of milled rice, while demand exceeded 22 million metric tons. This disparity has led to annual import expenditures of around US$3.5 billion. 

The REWARD-ECOWAS initiative aims to bridge this gap by enhancing local production capacity, promoting policy reforms, and improving supply chain efficiencies.

Commitment to strengthening regional agriculture

The formal signing of the agreement took place at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Nigeria’s capital on March 10, 2025. 

ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, and AfDB Director General for Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Kamara, officiated the signing. Speaking at the event, Kamara reaffirmed the AfDB’s commitment to fostering food security and strengthening agricultural value chains in the region.

“The REWARD-ECOWAS project is a step toward reducing reliance on imports, improving food production, and mitigating vulnerability to global market fluctuations. This initiative will benefit all 15 ECOWAS member states, including Nigeria,” Kamara stated.

Touray emphasized the broader implications of the project, highlighting its connection to regional stability. 

“Food security is directly linked to peace and security. The swift implementation of the REWARD initiative aligns with ECOWAS’ ‘4X4 Strategy,’ which focuses on regional integration, good governance, economic sustainability, and security,” he said.

Regional strategy for food sovereignty

The REWARD-ECOWAS project is a component of the ECOWAS Regional Rice Roadmap (2025-2035) and the ECOWAS Rice Observatory’s Action Plan. 

It also aligns with the African Development Bank’s Regional Strategy Paper for West Africa (2020-2025), which prioritizes agricultural productivity and strengthening food systems across the region.

In addition to increasing rice output, the initiative will support policy and regulatory reforms, improve the governance of agricultural inputs, and enhance digital monitoring systems to boost competitiveness. 

These measures aim to secure long-term food sovereignty while creating employment opportunities across West Africa’s agricultural sector.