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Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has advocated for enhanced collaboration among West African governments, the private sector, and stakeholders to establish a self-sufficient and competitive rice industry. Addressing the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda, Mr. Dumelo emphasized the necessity of greater regional cooperation to tackle the challenges in rice production and lessen West Africa's reliance on imports.

He highlighted that no country is isolated and stressed that the region must work together on the rice value chain because each nation has the potential to produce rice locally. Currently, West Africa spends over US$3.5 billion annually importing rice, which Dumelo believes could be reduced through strengthened regional efforts.

He pointed out that countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Sierra Leone have already started collaborating, with the overarching goal of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and eliminating imports. For this to happen, a concerted effort involving governments, farmers, and businesses along the rice value chain—such as access to inputs, technology, financing, processing, storage, transportation, and markets—is essential.

The Deputy Minister's plea for greater collaboration emerges as African nations intensify efforts to bolster domestic food production and diminish dependency on imported staples. Rice is a staple in the diets of West Africans, making the development of a robust regional rice value chain crucial for food security, employment generation, rural income enhancement, and economic resilience.

Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Sierra Leone's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, echoed Dumelo's sentiments, urging West African countries to view rice as a regional business opportunity rather than a set of isolated national issues. He highlighted the importance of treating rice as a shared economic opportunity and stressed that the regional approach is gaining traction through the ECOWAS Rice Offensive, which aims to mobilize an initial $500 million for rice development across the region.

However, Dr. Kpaka cautioned that financial support must be complemented by consistent and supportive policies, particularly in food production and trade. He pointed out the competitive edge foreign producers enjoy due to subsidies and long-term investments, enabling them to undercut local rice prices in West African markets. Dr. Kpaka called for leveling the playing field for African producers.

He expressed optimism about the region's potential to foster a thriving rice industry, given its market of over 400 million people, and emphasized the need for political commitment and active private sector participation. Alice Ruhweza, President of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), called for a comprehensive approach to enhancing rice systems across Africa.

She acknowledged the farmers' innovation and courage, stating that they merely require a supportive system to flourish. The high-level ministerial dialogue at the AFSF, taking place from September 1–4, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda, is a significant event in the forum's 20th edition. It convenes leaders to explore coordinated strategies to address Africa's food systems challenges.

The Forum, supported by AGRA, attracts over 5,000 stakeholders from more than 50 countries, aiming to promote practical action, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to strengthen Africa's food systems.