The African Development Bank Group, in partnership with the Africa Rice Centre and the Economic Community of West African States, has launched the Strengthening Adaptation to Climate Change of Rice Value Chains in West Africa (REWARD-AfricaRice) programme. The $8.5 million initiative, funded by the African Development Bank, is a multinational technical support project aimed at reinforcing rice value chains across 14 West African countries through improved seed systems, sustainable farming practices, enhanced processing technologies, and stronger regional coordination. The programme will run through 2029, covering Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Launched in Bouaké, central Côte d’Ivoire, on 13 February 2026, the programme seeks to address structural challenges in the rice sector at a time when West Africa is experiencing rapid population growth and urbanisation. It aims to strengthen climate-resilient rice production, improve access to quality seeds, enhance processing capacity, and accelerate progress toward regional rice self-sufficiency.
The REWARD programme is projected to significantly increase productivity, with yields expected to rise from two to seven tons per hectare. Average annual farmer incomes are also anticipated to grow from $1,385 to $1,605. By reducing reliance on rice imports and promoting stronger regional integration, the initiative aims to build more resilient and competitive rice value chains across the region. The launch event brought together senior representatives from beneficiary countries, national project implementation units, research institutions, and development partners.
Representatives from ECOWAS emphasized that rice remains a strategic commodity for food sovereignty and economic resilience in West Africa, highlighting the importance of regional collaboration in advancing food security goals. Officials from the African Development Bank Group noted that the programme aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Africa’s food systems, support job creation, and promote long-term economic stability through resilient agricultural value chains.
The Director General of AfricaRice underscored the urgency of achieving rice self-sufficiency for both economic and food security reasons, stating that the programme combines science, innovation, institutional strengthening, and regional coordination to benefit farmers, processors, and consumers. In addition to boosting production and incomes, the initiative is expected to generate up to 78,000 jobs, including approximately 39,000 opportunities for women, further contributing to inclusive growth in West Africa.
