West African countries must do more to increase local rice production and reduce their dependence on costly imports, according to Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem.
Speaking at the 2026 West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, the Deputy Minister said the region continues to spend billions of dollars every year importing rice despite having the resources and potential to produce enough for its own population.
According to him, the time has come for West Africa to focus on closing the gap between rice production and consumption while creating jobs and boosting economic growth across the region.
West Africa Spending Billions on Rice Imports
Mr. Ampem revealed that countries within the sub-region spend an estimated US$3 billion to US$4 billion annually importing rice to meet local demand.
He described the situation as unsustainable, arguing that the money leaving African economies each year could instead be used to support local farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities.
In a lighthearted but pointed remark, he said the real competition facing West Africa is not about who cooks the best Jollof rice.
“The real Jollof competition before us is not whose rice tastes better. It is whether West Africa can finally produce enough rice to feed itself competitively,” he said.
Import Dependence Poses Economic Risks
The Deputy Finance Minister warned that continued dependence on imported rice exposes countries to economic vulnerabilities and external shocks.
According to him, the growing gap between local production and consumption places enormous pressure on economies by draining foreign exchange reserves and weakening domestic agricultural value chains.
He explained that heavy import dependence limits job creation opportunities and reduces the economic benefits that could be generated from one of the region’s most consumed food products.
Mr. Ampem added that global disruptions can easily affect food availability and prices when countries rely heavily on imports.
The Region Has the Potential to Produce More
Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that West Africa has everything needed to become a major rice-producing region.
He pointed to the availability of arable land, water resources, and experienced farmers as key advantages that should position the region for success.
According to him, the biggest obstacle has been the lack of sufficient long-term investment needed to unlock the sector’s full potential.
“What we have lacked for far too long is transformational capital capable of unlocking this potential at scale,” he noted.
Call for Long-Term Investment
To address the challenge, Mr. Ampem called for increased investment across the entire rice value chain.
He said investors must move beyond short-term financing and focus on long-term projects that improve irrigation systems, storage facilities, processing plants, logistics, and modern milling operations.
The Deputy Minister stressed that patient and strategic capital is essential if West Africa hopes to build a competitive rice industry capable of meeting local demand and attracting new investment.
He also advocated for a regional approach that sees West Africa as a single rice economy rather than fragmented national markets.
A Vision for Food Security and Economic Growth
Mr. Ampem believes that with the right investments and policies, the region can significantly reduce its dependence on imported rice while creating thousands of jobs and improving livelihoods for farmers.
He urged governments, development partners, financial institutions, and private investors to work together to transform the sector and strengthen food security.
The West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable, organized with support from ECOWAS and development partners, brought together policymakers, investors, financial institutions, and industry leaders to discuss practical solutions for accelerating growth in the region’s rice industry.
As food security becomes an increasingly important issue across Africa, many experts agree that boosting local rice production could play a key role in building stronger and more resilient economies.
🔥 For the latest juice in business, agriculture, politics, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, sports, and breaking news from Ghana and around the world, stay locked on Jaysonlive.com — where every headline tells a story that matters.