The African Development Fund has approved an initial $99.16 million to support the Regional West Africa Rice Development Project, targeting increased food security and self-sufficiency in the region.
This initiative, focused on The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS, and the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), aims to enhance rice production and value chain development while fostering climate resilience and economic growth.
The $99.16 million funding is structured into four grants: $15.95 million, $43.88 million, and $19.94 million from the African Development Bank Group’s concessional loans window, alongside a $19.39 million contribution from its Transition Support Facility. These grants account for 91.2% of the project’s total cost, with additional contributions from The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau governments.
The project is expected to strengthen irrigation infrastructure, improve rice processing and marketing, and foster intraregional trade in rice, with a focus on women and youth.
