By Abdullahi Lukman
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have formalized a $12 million grant agreement to enhance rice production and value chain in West Africa.
This financial injection will propel the Rice Resilient Value Chains Development (REWARD) Project, a crucial initiative within a broader, $650 million regional program aimed at achieving rice sovereignty across the 15 ECOWAS member states.
The signing ceremony, held at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, March 10, 2025, underscored the commitment of both organizations to addressing the critical issue of food security.
The REWARD project is designed to stimulate both public and private sector investments throughout the rice value chain, from production to distribution.
Central to the project’s strategy is the implementation of proven, successful business models that can be scaled up across the region.
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The initiative seeks to significantly increase rice yields and overall production within ECOWAS member states, reducing the region’s reliance on rice imports.
By focusing on the entire rice value chain, the project aims to improve efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance market access for rice farmers.
The project encourages private sector investment in rice production, processing, and distribution, fostering sustainable economic growth. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to improve food security and nutrition for millions of people in West Africa.
This project is a multinational, multiphase program, showing the collaboration of all the ECOWAS member states, and the AfDB, to achieve a common goal.
ECOWAS Commission President Alieu Touray expressed profound gratitude to the AfDB for their generous support, emphasizing the Commission’s unwavering dedication to the swift and effective implementation of the REWARD project.
AfDB Director General for Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Kamara, reiterated the Bank’s steadfast commitment to partnering with ECOWAS to realize its vision of food security and resilience, in alignment with the ECOWAS Vision 2020.
This collaboration between ECOWAS and the AfDB signifies a concerted effort to address the challenges facing the region’s agricultural sector and build a more food-secure future for West Africa.
