The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission have formalized a $12 million grant agreement to support the Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Project (REWARD) in West Africa. The signing event occurred at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
The project aims to enhance public and private investments in rice value chains, leveraging successful business models as part of a broader regional initiative funded by the AfDB across 15 West African nations. The program seeks to achieve rice sovereignty throughout ECOWAS Member States.
Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, signed on behalf of ECOWAS, while Dr. Abdul Kamara represented the AfDB's President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. This project is valued at $650 million and marks a significant step towards boosting regional rice production, enhancing food security, and reducing dependency on expensive imports.
Rice plays a crucial role in West Africa's food security and economic stability. Despite having substantial agricultural potential, the region relies heavily on imports to satisfy demand, which strains local economies. As demand for rice is projected to rise significantly, strengthening domestic production has become an urgent necessity.
Over five years, REWARD-ECOWAS will focus on policy reforms, improving regulation of agricultural inputs, and enhancing digital monitoring systems for competitiveness in the rice sector. The ECOWAS Commission will lead this effort through its Economic Affairs and Agriculture Department alongside the ECOWAS Rice Observatory.
During the ceremony, Dr. Touray expressed gratitude to AfDB for its support and reiterated ECOWAS' commitment to swift implementation: "I want to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude...to the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina...Food and rice production is part of food security which is also related to peace and security."
Dr. Abdul Kamara highlighted AfDB's dedication to strengthening food security: "In 2021, West Africa produced around 14 million metric tons of milled rice...The REWARD-ECOWAS project is a major step toward reducing import dependence..."
The initiative aligns with both the ECOWAS Regional Rice Roadmap (2025-2035) and broader strategic objectives under ECOWAP and AfDB's vision for increased agricultural productivity.
With this agreement established, ECOWAS Member States are poised to transform their rice sectors towards achieving food sovereignty while reducing vulnerability to global market fluctuations.
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