REWARD–AfricaRice
REWARD-AfricaRice combines agricultural science, institutional strengthening, and regional policy coordination to build climate-resilient rice value chains and reduce West Africa's dependence on rice imports.
Overview
The Multinational Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Program (REWARD–AfricaRice) is a US$8.5 million regional initiative launched on 10 February 2026 in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. Financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and co-implemented by AfricaRice and ECOWAS, the program runs over 5 years (2024–2029) across 14 West African countries. REWARD combines agricultural science, institutional strengthening, and regional policy coordination to build climate-resilient rice value chains and reduce West Africa's dependence on rice imports.
The Challenge
West Africa's rice sector faces four critical structural challenges:
- Low yields — averaging just 2.2–2.5 tons/ha against achievable potential
- Post-harvest losses — up to 42% lost after harvest due to poor infrastructure
- Import dependency — domestic production meets only ~60% of regional demand
- Climate risk — yield losses of 16–29% recorded over the past 15 years
Rising population and urbanization are pushing demand even higher. Without coordinated, science-driven intervention, the gap between supply and demand will continue to widen.
Objectives
REWARD-AfricaRice Project addresses the full rice value chain through five focused areas:
- Improved Seed Systems — scaling up certified, climate-adapted, high-yielding varieties
- Climate-Smart Farming — promoting sustainable agronomic practices across diverse rice ecosystems
- Post-Harvest & Processing — reducing losses and improving rice quality through better technologies
- Capacity Strengthening — building the skills of institutions, extension services, and private sector actors
- Regional Coordination — aligning policies on seed, trade, and investment across 14 countries via ECOWAS
Expected Impact
REWARD-AfricaRice Project is projected to deliver transformative, quantified results by 2029:
- Yields up from ~2 tons/ha to 7 tons/ha
- Farmer income rising from US$1,385 to US$1,605/year
- 78,000 jobs created, ~39,000 for women
- Intra-regional rice trade expanding to 250,000 tons
- Significant reduction in costly rice imports
Target Countries
REWARD-AfricaRice Project operates across 14 West African countries, working through national ministries, research systems, and private sector partners to deliver locally rooted solutions at regional scale.
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Liberia
- Mali
- Niger
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
Partners & Stakeholders
- AfricaRice — Lead implementer; pan-African rice research and innovation center
- African Development Bank (AfDB) — Lead financier; US$8.5M investment in West Africa's food future
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — Regional policy and coordination framework across member states
