ECOWAS, AfDB Seal $11.18 Million Deal to Boost West Africa’s Rice Production

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a groundbreaking $11.18 million agreement aimed at ramping up rice production across the region, marking a major step toward food security and self-sufficiency.

The announcement was made via ECOWAS’ social media platforms on Tuesday, following a signing ceremony in Abuja. Speaking at the event, Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, underscored the significance of the partnership in reducing West Africa’s dependence on rice imports.

“This is not the first or only response we have received from the African Development Bank,” Touray stated. “AfDB has been a key partner, supporting us on flagship projects like the Lagos-Abidjan corridor. Now, they have once again stepped up to strengthen food security in the region.”

Touray expressed gratitude to AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and the bank’s leadership for their continued commitment to regional development. He also assured that ECOWAS would move swiftly to implement the initiative.

“I have outlined measures to fast-track the execution of programs like this, and we will continue to prioritize efficiency in delivering results,” he added.

Abdul Kamara, AfDB’s Director-General for Nigeria, described the agreement as a historic milestone that will lay a strong foundation for West Africa’s agricultural resilience.

“Leveraging the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, which has been instrumental in coordinating and sensitizing member states, we are confident that this initiative will drive the region toward self-sufficiency,” Kamara said.

He highlighted AfDB’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), which focus on strategic value chains to transform agriculture across Africa. “With this initiative, we are positioning West African nations to achieve sustainable rice production and reduce import dependency.”

AfDB has been a long-standing development partner for ECOWAS. In 2019, the bank backed the $2 billion Lagos-Abidjan highway project, a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting regional trade and connectivity.

Four years later, AfDB and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) joined forces again, signing a dual currency credit deal worth $50 million and €50 million to support agricultural businesses across West Africa.