The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has expressed concern over West Africa’s continued reliance on imported rice, warning that the trend threatens the region’s food security, economic resilience and long-term food sovereignty.
Speaking at the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Dr. Touray said despite significant improvements in local rice production, regional demand continues to exceed supply, forcing countries to spend heavily on imports to feed their populations.
According to him, reducing the region’s rice import bill must become a strategic priority for governments, investors and development partners.
Production Up, Deficit Persists
Dr. Touray disclosed that rice production across West Africa increased by 44 per cent between 2008 and 2024 as a result of sustained investments and policy interventions.
However, he noted that the growth has not kept pace with rising demand driven by population growth and changing consumption patterns.
“Although regional output increased significantly by 44 per cent between 2008 and 2024, demand still outstrips supply, forcing West Africa to rely heavily on rice imports,” he said.
He revealed that local production currently meets only 61 per cent of the region’s rice needs, leaving a substantial gap that must be filled through imports each year.
Rice Now Strategic Commodity
Describing rice as more than a staple food, Dr. Touray said the crop has evolved into a strategic commodity central to food security, rural livelihoods and economic stability across West Africa.
He warned that dependence on international markets exposes the region to supply chain disruptions, price fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties that could undermine access to food for millions of people.
At the same time, he said the challenge presents an opportunity to stimulate economic transformation through increased local production, stronger value chains and expanded agro-processing industries.
“This challenge presents a strategic opportunity to increase domestic production, strengthen regional value chains, attract investment and accelerate agrifood systems transformation across West Africa,” he stated.
Roadmap to Self-Sufficiency
To address the production gap, ECOWAS has adopted a Regional Rice Roadmap for 2025–2035 aimed at boosting investments, improving competitiveness and enhancing coordination among member states.
Dr. Touray said the focus must now shift from policy discussions to implementation, investment mobilisation and concrete action.
He called on financial institutions, development partners and private investors to support projects identified under national rice investment plans across the region.
The two-day roundtable has brought together governments, investors, development agencies and private sector players to explore partnerships and financing opportunities aimed at transforming the rice sector and reducing West Africa’s dependence on imported rice.
