John Dumelo Calls for West Africa to Cut $3.5 Billion Rice Import

West Africa could save billions of dollars and strengthen its food security by reducing its dependence on imported rice, according to Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo.

Speaking at a high level ministerial dialogue at the Africa Food Systems Forum, Dumelo called for stronger regional cooperation across the rice value chain to help West African countries increase domestic production and move closer to self sufficiency.

West Africa currently spends more than $3.5 billion each year importing rice, despite having significant agricultural potential and a large consumer market.

Dumelo argued that the scale of the import bill presents both a challenge and a major economic opportunity for the region. Greater investment in local rice production could reduce foreign exchange pressures, create jobs and strengthen food security.

Regional cooperation key to rice self sufficiency

Dumelo said countries across West Africa need to work together rather than approach rice production as separate national projects.

Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin and Sierra Leone are already collaborating on efforts to improve rice production. However, he said the region needs to significantly expand these efforts if it wants to reduce its reliance on imported rice.

The objective, he said, should be clear: build enough productive capacity within the region to meet local demand.

For Dumelo, achieving that goal will require closer coordination between governments, farmers and private sector businesses.

He stressed that governments cannot transform the rice industry alone.

Instead, farmers and businesses must become central participants in building a stronger regional rice economy, from production to processing and distribution.

Beyond production

Dumelo said increasing the amount of rice grown in West Africa is only one part of the challenge.

The region also needs better access to agricultural inputs, modern technology, financing, processing facilities, storage infrastructure, transportation and reliable markets.

These gaps continue to affect the competitiveness of local agricultural value chains and can make imported rice more attractive than locally produced alternatives.

A coordinated regional approach could help address these bottlenecks while creating opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs across the agricultural sector.

A major opportunity for African businesses

Reducing West Africa’s rice import bill could have implications far beyond agriculture.

A stronger regional rice industry would create demand for machinery, logistics, warehousing, financial services, processing technology and agricultural inputs.

It could also generate new opportunities for small businesses and larger private sector investors seeking exposure to Africa’s growing food market.

With the region’s population and food demand continuing to expand, building competitive domestic food production is increasingly becoming an economic priority.

Dumelo’s call therefore places rice at the centre of a wider conversation about African industrialisation, regional trade and food security.

For West Africa, cutting a $3.5 billion import bill is not simply about producing more rice. It is about building a more integrated agricultural economy capable of creating jobs, retaining value within the region and supplying its growing population.

The road ahead

Turning that ambition into reality will require sustained investment and cooperation.

Governments will need to improve agricultural infrastructure and create an environment that encourages private investment. Farmers will need access to finance, technology and quality inputs, while businesses can help expand processing, logistics, storage and market access.

If these pieces come together, West Africa could gradually shift from being a major rice importing region to becoming a more competitive producer and processor.

Dumelo’s message at the Africa Food Systems Forum highlights the size of the opportunity. The region already has the land, markets and entrepreneurial capacity. The next challenge is building the systems needed to connect them.