African Development Bank Focuses on West African Rice Self-Sufficiency Goals

The African Development Bank Group centered discussions on its financing plans and investment initiatives at the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana, held June 2-3, 2026. The event gathered governments, investors, development institutions, and private sector leaders to advance the Economic Community of West African States Regional Rice Roadmap.

Richard Ofori-Mante, the Bank Group's Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development, emphasized that achieving rice self-sufficiency in West Africa demands sustained investment across seed systems, irrigation, processing, storage, logistics, and market access. He stated that West Africa possesses the land, water, knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to feed itself through rice.

Omar Alieu Touray outlined the Bank Group's ambition to establish competitive, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems by 2035, focusing on food sovereignty, economic opportunities, shared prosperity, and regional rice self-sufficiency.