The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has described the West African Rice Investment Roundtable as a major success, highlighting significant financial commitments and a renewed regional drive to strengthen rice production across West Africa.
According to the Minister, the roundtable secured US$25.6 billion in commitments from development partners and investors through 55 deal room sessions, underscoring strong confidence in the region’s rice sector and its potential to drive economic growth and food security.
Dr. Kpaka noted that participating countries agreed to adopt a regional approach to investment across West Africa’s 12 rice basins, a strategy aimed at unlocking opportunities for increased production, job creation, and sustainable food systems.
He expressed appreciation to ECOWAS, the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, development partners, and investors for their support and commitment to advancing the region’s rice agenda.
The Minister also acknowledged the contributions of key institutions, including the World Bank Group, African Development Bank, Ecobank, and OCP Africa, for their role in mobilizing investments and fostering partnerships.
Dr. Kpaka emphasized that sustained collaboration among governments, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector will be critical in transforming the rice industry and positioning it as a key driver of economic transformation across West Africa.
“Together, we can make rice a powerful engine of economic transformation across West Africa,” he stated.
