Dans le but de promouvoir la souveraineté rizicole dans les pays de la CEDEAO, l' institution a signé un accord le lundi 10 mars dernier at the headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, a grant agreement worth $12 million (7 1.2 billion FCFA)

L'investissement de 12 millions de dollars est un don de la Banque africaine de Banque africaine de développement ( BAD ) for the implementation of the project to develop resilient rice value chains (REWARD) in West Africa. Le projet REWARD fait partie d' un programme régional de développement du riz financé par la BAD in 15 countries in West Africa. This program, which aims to promote rice sovereignty in all ECOWAS member states, is valued at 650 million US dollars. According to the Director General of the Nigeria Department of the African Development Bank style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style”, serif">, Abdul Kamara, the REWARD project is a major step towards reducing dependence on imports, the stimulation of food production and the reduction of vulnerability to global market fluctuations in the region.