Africa’s rice sector is undergoing a transformation as demand for the staple crop continues to surge across the continent, driven by population growth, changing dietary habits, and urbanization.
A recent breakthrough for farmer Salmata Ouattara in Côte d'Ivoire illustrates the potential of new agricultural strategies to meet this rising demand. In 2023, Ouattara doubled her rice yield and income after adopting the Smart Valleys approach—a low-cost water management initiative developed by the nonprofit Africa Rice. Previously producing 2 tons annually, she now harvests 4.5 tons and has expanded into growing corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Smart Valleys helps farmers control water flow on their land using simple infrastructure like canals, reducing flooding and enabling year-round cultivation. The program targets inland valleys—fertile but underutilized lowlands between hills—and is backed primarily by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture. According to Africa Rice director Elliott Dossou-Yovo, only 10% of the 190 million hectares of inland valleys in sub-Saharan Africa are currently farmed. With better water management, farmers can grow rice more than once a year and diversify with other crops during dry seasons, boosting food security and income.
Africa Rice, originally the West African Rice Development Partnership, rebranded in 2009 and set a goal to double rice production within a decade—a target it met. Now, the organization aims for self-sufficiency among its member states by 2030. Its headquarters near Ouattara’s farm includes an 800-hectare research campus with seed labs, testing facilities, and a gene bank housing 22,000 rice varieties. Funded by the Gates Foundation, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, African Development Bank, and member states, Africa Rice develops improved strains and farming techniques tailored to local conditions.
General manager Baboucarr Manneh explained that rice became a staple in Africa during the 1960s and 1970s, when consumption outpaced production. Once considered a luxury food, rice is now preferred over traditional staples like millet and tubers. In Sierra Leone, for example, roots and tubers are increasingly viewed as symbols of poverty. Rice’s ease of preparation and versatility have made it the continent’s most popular staple.
To meet nutritional needs, Africa Rice is also working to improve the health profile of rice. Sector leader Sali Atanja Ndindeng said the goal is to make rice not only energy-rich but also nutritious. Her team promotes parboiled rice, which has a lower glycemic impact, especially in countries like Côte d'Ivoire where it’s less common. Nigeria, by contrast, has embraced parboiled rice. The team also produces puffed rice for instant flour and rice cakes enriched with local ingredients like ginger, hibiscus, soy, and tamarind to combat micronutrient deficiencies.
Despite progress, major challenges remain. Africa still imports 40% of the rice it consumes—about 15 to 16 million tons annually—with over half coming from India. When India banned rice exports in July 2023 to prioritize domestic supply, panic spread across African markets. Manneh recalled that African ministers had to travel to India to negotiate access. Most African rice fields rely on rainfall, with only 20% irrigated, making them vulnerable to climate variability. Africa Rice is now guiding member states to adopt climate-resilient systems.
Some countries are making strides. Tanzania has achieved self-sufficiency and exports rice to neighboring East African nations. Nigeria is nearing that milestone in West Africa. Manneh hopes more nations will follow suit and that individual farmers like Ouattara will continue to benefit from science-driven solutions. “They welcomed me well,” Ouattara said of the Africa Rice team. “They guided me, and I am grateful to them.”
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