ECOWAS Seeks Funding to Achieve Rice Self-Sufficiency in West Africa by 2035

West African leaders, development partners and financial institutions gathered in Ghana on Tuesday for a regional investment roundtable aimed at mobilizing resources to help the region achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2035.

The two-day event, held in Accra under the theme "Mobilizing Resources to Achieve Rice Self-Sufficiency in West Africa," was officially opened by Ghana's Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.

Organized by the Economic Affairs and Agriculture Department of the ECOWAS Commission with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the roundtable seeks to secure public, private and blended financing to accelerate the implementation of national and regional rice investment plans across West Africa.

Rice remains one of the most consumed staple foods in the region, yet many countries continue to rely heavily on imports to meet domestic demand, exposing them to global market volatility and supply disruptions.

Speaking at the event, ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray said the regional bloc's ambition is to build competitive, inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems capable of strengthening food sovereignty, creating jobs and fostering shared prosperity.

"ECOWAS aims to establish competitive, inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems that strengthen food sovereignty, create employment opportunities and promote shared prosperity, while achieving regional rice self-sufficiency by 2035," Touray said.

He described the roundtable as a critical turning point that should serve as a catalyst for concrete action and stronger investment commitments.

The opening ceremony also featured remarks from Ghana's Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku; Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem; World Bank Vice President for Planet Affairs Guangzhe Chen; and Richard Ofori-Mante, Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development at the African Development Bank.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dr. Kalilou Sylla, presented the organization's roadmap and vision for achieving rice self-sufficiency across the region by 2035.

Launching the roundtable on behalf of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang said the discussions extended beyond rice production and touched on broader issues of economic transformation, regional integration and Africa's ability to achieve greater self-reliance.

The initiative comes as West African governments seek to strengthen domestic food production and reduce dependence on imports amid growing concerns over food security, climate change and global supply chain disruptions.