African Development Fund Approves $99M for West Africa Rice Project
The African Development Fund has allocated $99.16 million to bolster the Regional West Africa Rice Development Project, enhancing food security and self-sufficiency. The initiative will target Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS, and the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) to boost rice production, develop value chains, and promote climate resilience and economic growth.
The funding, comprising four grants from the African Development Bank and its Transition Support Facility, covers 91.2% of the project cost. Contributions also come from the governments of Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, beneficiaries, ECOWAS, and AfricaRice.
The project directly benefits 36,000 rice farmers in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, including thousands of women and youth. Additionally, 60,000 producers will receive essential inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural tools. Women will also gain access to financial inclusion opportunities.
Regionally, AfricaRice will introduce climate-smart seeds, while ECOWAS will drive policy harmonization and governance reforms. Other activities include irrigation improvements, enhanced rice processing, cooperative building, and promoting intra-regional trade.
This initiative aims to reduce West Africa’s reliance on rice imports, achieve regional self-sufficiency by 2030, and empower farmers to ensure sustainable food sovereignty.
