More than 100 key stakeholders in the rice sector, including CEOs of small rice mills, parboiled rice entrepreneurs, women-led cooperatives, and young workers, gathered in Mbé for a workshop organised by the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) as part of the RIZAO project, funded by the Mastercard Foundation.

The main objective of the initiative is to understand how rice processing companies can become real drivers of inclusive job creation for young people, women and people with disabilities.

Although official youth unemployment in Côte d’Ivoire is estimated at less than four per cent, the African Development Bank points out that 60 to 65 per cent of the population lives in a precarious employment situation, with a disproportionate impact on women and people with disabilities.

Rice processing appears to be a strategic solution, with nearly 47 per cent of African rice production is lost after harvest, representing an annual loss estimated at 10.25b US dollars.

By modernising processing capacities (milling and steaming) and structuring local businesses, the sponsors said this sector could create thousands of jobs accessible at different skill levels.

During the workshop, participants identified several constraints such as lack of liquidity, obsolete equipment, limited infrastructure, and limited capacity of transformers, among others.

To address this, the RIZAO project offers targeted training, the introduction of modern technologies (such as GEM steamers and two-stage rice mills) and working capital support to strengthen the competitiveness of businesses.

“This workshop opened our eyes to new opportunities for inclusive employment in rice processing. The cutting-edge technologies and capacity building approaches we learned will help us create more opportunities for women, youth and people with disabilities,” said Ms. Camara Assetou, president of the SCOOP-FG women’s cooperative.

The workshop also created a comprehensive database of rice processing enterprises, mapping their potential for inclusive employment, paving the way for targeted interventions and tailored implementation plans.

“The RIZAO project is not limited to supporting entrepreneurs or stimulating local rice consumption. Our ambition is clear: to transform rice value chains in West Africa, create sustainable jobs for young people and empower women, from the rice field to the market,” said Mr. Valere Mel, RIZAO project coordinator for Côte d’Ivoire.

By bringing together researchers, decision-makers, processors and local communities, the workshop marks a decisive step in building a more inclusive, competitive and prosperity-generating Ivorian rice sector.