The Federal Government and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission are intensifying their campaign to end decades of reliance on imported rice. This initiative is gaining traction as governments, regional bodies, research groups, and development partners boost efforts to increase production, draw in investment, and implement artificial intelligence (AI)-powered agricultural technologies. These technologies aim to deliver higher yields, better nutrition, and enhanced resilience to climate change.
This invigorated effort follows a report from the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD), which indicated that sub-Saharan Africa produced 38.34 million metric tons of paddy rice in 2024. Under CARD’s second phase, member nations aim to reach 56 million metric tonnes by 2030. CARD, an alliance of 32 African countries and 14 development partners, was formed to assist African governments in doubling rice output and decreasing import reliance.
CARD’s member countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and various other rice-producing states. Its partners comprise the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank Group, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), AUDA-NEPAD, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), JIRCAS, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Data from CARD’s 2024 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework reveals that while member nations cultivated 18.18 million hectares of rice in 2024—nearly meeting the program’s target of 18.67 million hectares—average productivity stood at just 2.11 tons per hectare. This figure is significantly lower than the three tons per hectare deemed essential for achieving regional self-sufficiency.
This productivity shortfall, the framework indicates, continues to drive imports. CARD estimates that sub-Saharan Africa imports around 18.11 million metric tons of rice each year, whereas exports are restricted to 544,000 metric tonnes.
Regional rice consumption annually totals 32.69 million metric tons, which translates to 26 kilograms per person, highlighting the continent’s increasing need for this staple food.
Nigeria, which holds the position of Africa’s largest rice market by population, is one of the nations that has endorsed its National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) as part of CARD’s second phase. Other nations involved are Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Cameroon.
This revitalized regional strategy is gaining new momentum from the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice). AfricaRice has stepped up its collaborations with the Federal Government, various research institutions, ECOWAS, and investors, aiming to place Nigeria at the forefront of West Africa’s push for rice self-sufficiency.
From June 29 to July 1, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, Director-General of AfricaRice, conducted several high-level meetings in Abuja and Dutse. These included discussions with the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), the ECOWAS Commission, and investors present at the Jigawa Economic and Investment Summit 2026. The talks centered on enhancing research partnerships, speeding up the implementation of climate-smart and AI-backed technologies, attracting capital, bolstering value chains, and fostering regional rice trade. During his address at the Jigawa summit, Manneh stated that West Africa would need approximately $25 billion in both public and private investment to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2035. He also revealed that development partners had committed $1.54 billion during the recent West Africa Regional Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana, calling this pledge a significant step towards securing long-term funding for the industry. “The journey toward rice self-sufficiency is not simply about producing more rice. It is about creating jobs, especially for our youths, attracting investment, strengthening food security, improving livelihoods, empowering rural communities and building a more prosperous future for our people,” Manneh said.
Manneh further noted that Nigeria holds a crucial role in AfricaRice’s regional plans due to its substantial market size, research capabilities, and production potential. “AfricaRice remains committed to working closely with the Federal Government, research institutions and private-sector partners to accelerate the development and dissemination of improved rice technologies that will increase productivity, strengthen food systems and enhance the competitiveness of Africa’s rice sector,” he stated.
A key component of this strategy involves implementing advanced digital agriculture tools. These include artificial intelligence, precision farming, enhanced seed systems, and climate-resilient rice varieties, all designed to bridge Africa’s ongoing yield disparity.
Subsequent to a recent investment roundtable in Accra, Manneh and his team convened with Dr. Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, on June 30. Their meeting aimed to bolster the execution of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory and the wider ECOWAS Rice Roadmap, both designed to establish a competitive regional rice market.
The conversations primarily focused on increasing youth involvement in rice value chains, fostering creative financing methods, promoting backward integration, enhancing regional value addition, and making the ECOWAS Common Market for rice fully operational.
Sylla emphasized that improved regional coordination would be vital for decreasing reliance on imports and stimulating investment throughout West Africa’s rice sector.
“Improving productivity, expanding market access and fully implementing regional policies, including the ECOWAS common market for rice, will be critical to accelerating sustainable growth and achieving regional rice self-sufficiency,” Sylla stated.
