Ghana secures $18.8 million African Development Bank grant to expand rice production

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved an $18.8 million grant to the Government of Ghana to implement the Regional West Africa Resilient Rice Value Chains (REWARD) Project. The initiative aims to expand domestic rice production, reinforce food security, and generate jobs across the agricultural value chain, according to a press release issued on 03-Aug-2026. The project will work to raise rice productivity, upgrade market systems, and lessen Ghana’s reliance on rice imports while enhancing the competitiveness of locally grown rice.

Agriculture remains central to Ghana’s economy, supporting livelihoods and contributing significantly to food security. However, domestic rice production has not kept pace with rising demand, leaving the country dependent on imports and exposed to global price volatility. The REWARD project responds to these conditions with investments across the rice value chain.

The project will channel resources into climate-resilient rice production systems, improved access to quality inputs and mechanization, and enhanced irrigation and land development in key production areas. It will also support the modernization of rice processing facilities, strengthen market linkages, and encourage greater private sector participation across the rice value chain. Implementation will focus on selected districts within Ghana’s Northern Savannah Ecological Zone, an area with significant agricultural potential where productivity remains constrained by climate risks, inadequate infrastructure, and weak market integration.

Halima Hashi, Country Manager, Ghana Country Office, African Development Bank Group, outlined the expected contribution of the initiative.

“This project will help strengthen Ghana’s rice value chain by increasing productivity, improving market access, and supporting agribusiness development,” she said. “By investing in climate-resilient agriculture, the initiative will contribute to food security, job creation, and more inclusive economic growth.”

The REWARD project aligns with Ghana’s national development priorities, including its agricultural transformation and food security agenda under the Feed Ghana Programme. It also supports the African Development Bank’s strategic priorities of climate-resilient agriculture, private sector development, and inclusive growth. The initiative further contributes to broader regional efforts to strengthen food systems and resilience across West Africa.