Deputy Minister John Dumelo Urges West Africa to Cut $3.5 Billion Rice Import Bill at Africa Food Systems Forum

Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has issued a clarion call for West African nations to establish regional self-sufficiency in rice production to offset a staggering $3.5 billion annual import bill. Speaking at the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda, Dumelo emphasized that the region possesses the agricultural potential to eliminate its reliance on foreign rice. He urged for deeper collaboration between governments, the private sector, and farmers to strengthen the entire rice value chain, citing existing partnerships between Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo as templates for broader regional success.

The call for a regional rice industry was echoed by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, who advocated for treating rice production as a strategic regional business opportunity. Kpaka highlighted the competitive disadvantages African producers face against subsidized foreign imports and noted that initiatives like the ECOWAS Rice Offensive are crucial for mobilizing necessary development funds. The dialogue underscores a significant shift in the region's agricultural strategy, moving away from fragmented national efforts toward a unified West African market that prioritizes processing, technology, and market access.

Beyond rice production, the AFSF, which drew over 5,000 stakeholders from 50 nations, addressed the broader transformation of African food systems. Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn urged African governments to take greater ownership of their food systems and improve coordination mechanisms. Central to these discussions was the evolution of the farmer’s role; leaders and experts, including those from the Gates Foundation, emphasized the importance of viewing smallholder farmers as business entrepreneurs rather than aid recipients. This shift is seen as vital for attracting the private investment needed to modernize the sector and improve access to innovative agricultural technologies.

Hosted under the theme "Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience," the forum highlighted 20 years of progress while acknowledging the urgent need for decisive financial mobilization. Rwanda’s Prime Minister and other leaders concluded that increasing domestic production is the only sustainable path to reducing the continent's vulnerability to global supply shocks. The four-day event aims to serve as a catalyst for new investments that will transform recent gains in food security into a resilient, self-sustaining agrifood sector across the continent.