THE African Development Fund has approved an initial $99.16 million investment to enhance rice cultivation value chains in West Africa. The initiative, part of the Regional West Africa Rice Development project, aims to bolster food security and self-sufficiency in rice across the region by 2030 through public and private sector collaboration.
The funding package covers national and regional interventions, with Gambia and Guinea-Bissau receiving direct support alongside regional organisations, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice). The project will be financed through grants: $15.95 million for Gambia, $43.88 million for Guinea-Bissau, $19.94 million for AfricaRice, and $19.39 million from the African Development Bank’s Transition Support Facility.
These grants represent 91.2 percent of the project’s total cost. Contributions from the governments of Gambia and Guinea-Bissau make up 5.2 percent each, while ECOWAS, AfricaRice, and local beneficiaries contribute the remaining share.
Boosting rice production and resilience
The project is expected to significantly increase rice production and productivity, improve income generation—especially for women and youth—and enhance climate resilience across the sector. Key national-level objectives include:
- Developing sustainable irrigation infrastructure.
- Distributing climate-smart seeds and farming inputs.
- Strengthening local rice processing and marketing units.
- Expanding access to mechanisation, finance, and training, with a focus on women and young farmers.
Regional components will involve:
- Supporting innovation in rice value chains, led by AfricaRice.
- Promoting harmonised policies and governance reforms through ECOWAS, facilitated by the ECOWAS Rice Observatory.
These measures aim to reduce dependency on rice imports, foster regional trade, and adapt farming practices to climate change.
Widespread impact across beneficiaries
The programme will directly benefit farmers across all 15 West African nations, with Gambia and Guinea-Bissau being initial focus areas.
In Gambia, the project will assist 20,000 rice farmers, including 6,000 women and 4,000 young people. An additional 10,000 producers will gain access to essential inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and mechanisation. Forty women will receive targeted financial inclusion support.
In Guinea-Bissau, 16,000 rice farmers (5,000 women and 3,000 young people) will be supported. Furthermore, 50,000 producers, including 15,000 women and 15,000 young people, will benefit from improved access to agricultural inputs and equipment.
Long-term vision
The initiative underscores the African Development Fund’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty in West Africa. By focusing on innovation, policy harmonisation, and grassroots empowerment, the project seeks to create a thriving and self-reliant rice sector capable of weathering global economic challenges and climate disruptions.
This funding marks a significant step toward transforming West Africa’s rice sector, paving the way for a more secure and sustainable future.
