The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched a $8.5m Multinational Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Programme (REWARD–AfricaRice) in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, to enhance rice production across 14 West Africa countries.

This programme, in partnership with the Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marks a significant step toward strengthening climate-resilient rice production, improving seed systems, enhancing processing capacity, and accelerating progress toward rice self-sufficiency across West Africa.

The REWARD–AfricaRice regional technical support project would be implemented over a period of five years ending in 2029. The project is to support 14 West African countries – Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cape Verte, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo – to boost rice production and productivity.

The project was developed to ultimately strengthen the rice value chains through improved seed production, sustainable farming practices, enhanced processing technologies, and regional coordination.

The programme responds to persistent structural challenges in the rice sector, including low average yields of about 2.2–2.5 tons per hectare, post-harvest losses of up to 42 per cent domestic production meeting only about 60 per cent of regional demand, and growing climate risks that have caused 16–29 per cent yield losses over the past 15 years.

The REWARD–AfricaRice Project addresses the imperative for rice transformation in the region as a strategic commodity, where demand continues to rise due to rapid population growth and urbanisation.

Based on the fact that the region remains heavily dependent on rice imports, the initiative aims to address this gap by promoting resilient rice production systems, scaling improved varieties, strengthening national seed systems, and enhancing processing and commercialisation models.

Representing ECOWAS, Dr. Boladale Adebowale highlighted the regional dimension of the initiative: “Rice is a strategic commodity for food sovereignty and economic resilience in West Africa. The REWARD Programme demonstrates the power of regional collaboration in advancing our shared food security agenda.”

In his keynote address, the Regional Development Manager (RDGW) of the AfDB, Dr. Eklou Attiogbevi-Somado, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting food security and agricultural transformation:

“The REWARD Programme aligns with the bank’s strategy to strengthen food systems in Africa. By investing in resilient rice value chains, we are supporting regional integration, job creation, and long-term economic stability in West Africa.”

Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Director General of AfricaRice, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, emphasised the importance of coordinated regional action: “Rice self-sufficiency in West Africa is both an economic and food security imperative. Through REWARD, we are combining science, innovation, institutional strengthening, and regional coordination to build resilient rice value chains that benefit farmers, processors, and consumers across the region.”

This project is expected to support the centralised production of breeder seed by AfricaRice and strengthen foundation and certified seed multiplication systems in participating countries. It will also facilitate the development of seed roadmaps, build capacity in seed production and quality control, promote improved rice varieties adapted to diverse ecological zones, and support knowledge exchange among countries.

This programme is also expected to significantly transform rice production across West Africa, increasing average productivity from approximately two tons per hectare to about seven tons per hectare. As a result of higher yields and improved market access, average yearly incomes of rice farmers are projected to rise from around $1,385 to $1,605. The program is also anticipated to generate up to 78,000 jobs, including approximately 39,000 for women, while expanding intra-regional rice trade to an estimated 250,000 tons.

Together, these gains will contribute to reduced import dependency, stronger regional integration, and more resilient rice value chains across the region.

The programme further emphasises sound governance, transparency, and strict adherence to AfDB procurement and financial management procedures to ensure effective and accountable implementation.