Mrs. Massandjé Touré-Litsé, Commissioner of Economic Affairs and Agriculture of ECOWAS, will lead the ECOWAS Commission delegation at the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum, set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from September 2 to 6, 2024.
During this event, the ECOWAS Commission and its partners will host a side event themed “Scaling Investments for Rice Self-Sufficiency in West Africa: Opportunities and Challenges” on September 3rd in Kigali.
West Africa’s rice sector is crucial for regional food security. However, reliance on rice imports necessitates a strategy to boost local production. In response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has developed a comprehensive Rice Agenda aimed at achieving rice self-sufficiency. This agenda includes the adoption of the ‘Rice Offensive’ in 2014, the Regional Action Plan (2020–2025), and the establishment of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO) in 2022. Most recently, stakeholders validated the Regional Rice Roadmap (2025–2035) to guide future efforts.
ERO is a multi-stakeholder platform established with organizations such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), among others. Based at the ECOWAS Commission under the Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, ERO aims to align stakeholders including farmers, millers, donors, and institutions to reduce duplication and maximize resource use. Its mission is to facilitate collaboration, catalyze growth, and track progress toward competitive and sustainable rice production.
The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) 2024 is themed “Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era.” The forum will convene global leaders to discuss ways to transform food systems across Africa. As part of AFS, ECOWAS will host a side event addressing specific aspects of rice sector development.
The ECOWAS side event will delve into the Regional Rice Roadmap (2025–2035), focusing on scaling up rice investment packages. It will feature high-level panel discussions on two key topics. The first panel session will explore “Policy Frameworks and Sustainable Solutions,” featuring Ministers of Agriculture and key policymakers from West Africa. It seeks alignment between the Rice Roadmap and National Rice Development Strategies for effective implementation. The second panel session will focus on “Financing Sustainable Rice Innovations” to unlock investments for a resilient rice sector.
The event aims to foster partnerships, share practical insights, and drive actionable recommendations for achieving rice self-sufficiency in West Africa. Expected outcomes include understanding investment opportunities better, identifying successful models, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and advocating supportive policy frameworks.
By participating at AFS Forum 2024, ECOWAS aims to amplify efforts in transforming the rice sector. This side event intends to spotlight advancements while driving investment and innovation for food security and economic stability in West Africa.
The ECOWAS Commission invites all stakeholders interested in rice production, food security, and agricultural development to participate in this historic event on September 3rd at Rm MH3, Kigali Convention Center starting at 4:30 CAT / 2:30 GMT in a hybrid format.
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