West African leaders have called for significant investment in the rice sector to achieve food security and reduce reliance on imports. This initiative aims for the region to become self-sufficient in rice production by 2035. The call came from the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable, an event convened by ECOWAS, the World Bank Group, and the African Development Bank.
Ghana hosted the two-day roundtable which included ministers and delegations from 15 countries. Participants stressed the need for large, coordinated funding to meet rising demand. The focus was on practical investment areas such as irrigation, seed systems, machinery, milling, storage, transport, and trade. A key outcome was the presentation of a regional pipeline of projects based on national rice strategies.
This push for rice self-sufficiency fits into Ghana's broader economic transformation agenda. Agriculture employs a large portion of the Ghanaian workforce. Improving this sector can significantly boost the country's economic resilience. The region's dependence on rice imports currently strains foreign currency reserves and exposes economies to global price shocks. Moving towards local production will strengthen economic stability.
On the sidelines of the event, Ghana launched its AgriConnect Compact on June 3. This country-led initiative supports agriculture as a core driver of Ghana’s economic growth, job creation, and resilience. The compact seeks to attract GHS 42 billion ($3.5 billion) in investments over five years. It targets the creation of over 2.6 million jobs and aims to improve food and nutrition security for nearly 3 million people.
Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana's Vice President, highlighted the initiative's importance. She stated, “The challenge before us is not just about growing more rice. It is also about mobilizing the scale of capital required to transform agriculture from a subsistence sector to commercial production.” She emphasized that rice should be viewed as a strategic economic asset. This transformation will create jobs for young people, increase farmers' incomes, and strengthen economic resilience against future global shocks.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, also shared clear ambitions. He said, “Our ambition is clear: to build more competitive, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems that strengthen food sovereignty.” He added that these systems will create economic opportunities and contribute to shared prosperity. The roundtable aims to be a catalyst for action, boosting investor confidence and accelerating financing for viable projects. It seeks to build a more competitive, resilient, and self-sufficient regional rice economy.
Ghana’s AgriConnect Compact focuses on priority value chains including rice, maize, cocoa, oil palm, and poultry. It supports reforms to increase productivity and attract private investment. The initiative uses a systems approach that includes irrigation, mechanization, climate-smart agriculture, and digital innovation. This demonstrates Ghana’s commitment to modern, market-led agriculture. It also serves as a strong example for other countries in the region.
Experts will closely watch how these investment pledges translate into actual projects and increased rice production. The success of the AgriConnect Compact will provide a blueprint for other West African nations. Businesses in the agriculture sector should prepare for new investment opportunities and partnerships. Policy decisions made in the coming months will be crucial for the initiative's long-term success. These decisions will shape the future of West Africa's rice economy and its journey towards self-sufficiency.