The African Development Bank and the Economic Community of West African States Commission have signed a $12 million grant agreement to implement the Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Project, a major initiative aimed at enhancing food security across West Africa.
The signing ceremony, held at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, marks a significant milestone in regional agricultural development, according to a press release on the ECOWAS website.
The REWARD project seeks to stimulate public and private investments in rice value chains, leveraging successful business models to boost local production. This initiative is part of a broader AfDB-funded regional rice development program spanning all 15 ECOWAS member states.
The agreement was signed by ECOWAS Commission President, H.E. Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, on behalf of the regional bloc, and Dr. Abdul Kamara, AfDB’s Director General for Nigeria, representing the bank’s President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
REWARD is a component of a larger $650 million multinational program designed to achieve rice sovereignty and ensure long-term food security in the region.
Rice remains a staple food for millions across West Africa and a crucial economic commodity. However, despite the region’s agricultural potential, heavy reliance on rice imports continues to strain economies and food systems.
“With demand projected to rise significantly in the coming years, strengthening local rice production is not just a priority but an urgent necessity,” the statement noted.
To bridge this gap, the REWARD project will drive policy reforms, improve agricultural input regulations, and enhance regional digital monitoring systems. The ECOWAS Commission’s Economic Affairs and Agriculture Department, alongside the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, will lead its implementation.
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Touray reaffirmed ECOWAS’ dedication to accelerating the REWARD project’s implementation, emphasizing its alignment with the bloc’s 4X4 Strategy, which prioritizes regional peace and security, deeper economic integration, good governance, and inclusive development.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for his unwavering commitment to Africa’s development, particularly in West Africa. His contributions to food security and agricultural resilience are invaluable,” Dr. Touray stated.
He also underscored the critical role of food security in ensuring regional stability, stating, “Rice production is a pillar of food security, which is closely tied to peace and economic stability. The REWARD project must be implemented swiftly.”
Similarly, Dr. Kamara reiterated AfDB’s commitment to strengthening food security and value chain development across the region.
The REWARD-ECOWAS project aligns with the ECOWAS Regional Rice Roadmap (2025-2035), the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy, and the African Development Bank’s broader agricultural development vision. It also supports the Action Plan of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, reinforcing efforts to strengthen regional food systems.
With this grant, ECOWAS member states have a critical opportunity to transform their rice sectors, achieve food sovereignty, and reduce dependence on external markets. The success of the REWARD project is expected to feed millions, generate employment, stabilize economies, and enhance the region’s resilience against future food crises.
