The African Development Bank (AfDB) in partnership with the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), officially launched the Multinational Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Program (REWARD–AfricaRice) in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire February 10, 2026.
The launch marks a significant step toward strengthening climate-resilient rice production, improving seed systems, enhancing processing capacity, and accelerating progress toward rice self-sufficiency across West Africa.
The REWARD–AfricaRice regional technical support project, financed by the AfDB with an envelope of US$ 8.5 million, will be implemented over a period of 5 years ending in 2029.
The project is to support 14 West African countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Vert, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo – to boost rice production and productivity.
The project was developed to ultimately strengthen the rice value chains through improved seed production, sustainable farming practices, enhanced processing technologies, and regional coordination.
Implemented across 14 West African countries, the program responds to persistent structural challenges in the rice sector, including low average yields of about 2.2–2.5 tons per hectare, post-harvest losses of up to 42%, domestic production meeting only about 60% of regional demand, and growing climate risks that have caused 16–29% yield losses over the past 15 years.
The REWARD–AfricaRice Project addresses the imperative for rice transformation in the region as a strategic commodity, where demand continues to rise due to rapid population growth and urbanization. The region remains heavily dependent on rice imports.
The REWARD Program aims to address this gap by promoting resilient rice production systems, scaling improved varieties, strengthening national seed systems, and enhancing processing and commercialization models.
Representing ECOWAS, Dr. Boladale ADEBOWALE highlighted the regional dimension of the initiative:
“Rice is a strategic commodity for food sovereignty and economic resilience in West Africa. The REWARD Program demonstrates the power of regional collaboration in advancing our shared food security agenda.”
In his keynote address, Dr. Eklou ATTIOGBEVI-SOMADO, Regional Development Manager (RDGW) of the African Development Bank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting food security and agricultural transformation:
“The REWARD Program aligns with the Bank’s strategy to strengthen food systems in Africa. By investing in resilient rice value chains, we are supporting regional integration, job creation, and long-term economic stability in West Africa.”
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, Director General of AfricaRice, emphasized the importance of coordinated regional action:
“Rice self-sufficiency in West Africa is both an economic and food security imperative. Through REWARD, we are combining science, innovation, institutional strengthening, and regional coordination to build resilient rice value chains that benefit farmers, processors, and consumers across the region.”
The REWARD–AfricaRice project will support the centralized production of breeder seed by AfricaRice and strengthen foundation and certified seed multiplication systems in participating countries. It will also facilitate the development of seed roadmaps, build capacity in seed production and quality control, promote improved rice varieties adapted to diverse ecological zones, and support knowledge exchange among countries.
The REWARD Regional Program is expected to significantly transform rice production across West Africa, increasing average productivity from approximately 2 tons per hectare to about 7 tons per hectare. As a result of higher yields and improved market access, average annual incomes of rice farmers are projected to rise from around US$1,385 to US$1,605. The program is also anticipated to generate up to 78,000 jobs, including approximately 39,000 for women, while expanding intra-regional rice trade to an estimated 250,000 tons. Together, these gains will contribute to reduced import dependency, stronger regional integration, and more resilient rice value chains across the region.
The program further emphasizes sound governance, transparency, and strict adherence to AfDB procurement and financial management procedures to ensure effective and accountable implementation.
The ceremonial launch brought together senior representatives from participating countries, national project implementation units, research institutions, and development partners. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating implementation and strengthening collaboration between research institutions, ministries, and the private sector.