"REWARD Project: African Development Bank and ECOWAS Commission Launch $12 Million Initiative to Strengthen Rice Value Chains in West Africa

The African Development Bank and the Economic Community of West African States Commission have signed a $12 million grant agreement to implement the Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Project in West Africa. This project, also known as REWARD, aims to promote public and private investments in rice value chains, with a focus on successful business models. The initiative is part of a broader regional rice development program financed by the African Development Bank across 15 West African countries.

The signing ceremony took place at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, and marks a significant step towards strengthening regional rice production, ensuring food security, and reducing West Africa's dependence on costly rice imports. The project is valued at $650 million and aims to promote rice sovereignty in all ECOWAS Member States.

The project's key objectives include promoting public and private investments in rice value chains, strengthening regional rice production and ensuring food security, reducing dependence on costly rice imports, and promoting rice sovereignty in all ECOWAS Member States.

The project will focus on supporting policy reforms, improving the regulation of agricultural inputs, and enhancing re