In a bid to enhance regional rice production and food security in West Africa, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission recently signed a $12 million grant agreement to implement the Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Project (REWARD) in the regional bloc.
The signing ceremony was held at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
The REWARD project is part of a larger $650 million regional rice initiative financed by the African Development Bank, aimed at strengthening public and private investments in rice value chains across all 15 ECOWAS Member States.
The project will focus on policy reforms, agricultural input regulations, and digital monitoring systems to boost the sector’s competitiveness.
Dr Alieu Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, signed on behalf of ECOWAS, while Dr Abdul Kamara, AfDB Director General for Nigeria, signed for the Bank.
Dr Touray expressed appreciation for AfDB’s commitment to Africa’s development and emphasised the urgency of implementing REWARD. “Food and rice production are crucial for food security, peace, and stability in our region,” he stated.
Dr Kamara highlighted the importance of reducing reliance on rice imports, which cost West Africa $3.5 billion annually. “In 2021, the region produced 14 million metric tons of rice, while demand exceeded 22 million metric tons. This project is a major step toward closing that gap,” he noted.
Aligned with ECOWAS’ 4×4 Strategy and ECOWAP, the REWARD project will support the ECOWAS Regional Rice Roadmap (2025–2035). Its success is expected to enhance food sovereignty, create jobs, and strengthen economic resilience in West Africa.
