“Delivering on Commitments to Transform Africa's Rice Industry”

Background Information

In 2015, Africa consumed 27.4 million metric tons (MT) of rice with 9.8 MT (36%) imported at a cost of US$ 4.1 billion. The projected need by 2020 is 31.2 MT of milled rice against local production of 19.9 MT. The cost of importing the difference will be US$ 4.8 billion.

The attainment of rice self-sufficiency in Africa will drastically reduce this huge import bill while with foreign exchange savings re-invested in other sectors of the economy, which could increase employment opportunities for the youth, women and other vulnerable groups.

With the huge potential benefits for investments in Africa’s rice sector, the urgency of implementing appropriate strategies to realize the opportunities provided by Africa’s strategic commodities need strategic direction towards the achievement of Zero Hunger.

Keynote speakers:

• H. E. Mohammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, Prime Minister of Senegal [tbc]
• Hon. Dr. Papa Abdoulaye Seck, Minister of Agriculture & Rural Equipment, Senegal
• Dr. Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture and Agro-Industry, African Development Bank (AfDB)
• H.E. Sacko Josefa Leonel Correa, AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture
• Dr. Bukar Tijani, Asst. Director General, FAO [tbc]

The event has been co-organised by FAO, the African Development Bank, AfricaRice, and the Government of Senegal.