The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced on Friday, July 18, 2025 that the Board of Directors of the African Development Fund, a concession window of the ADB Group, approved in Abidjan a donation of 9.44 million US dollars, or about 5.8 billion CFA francs, in favor of 13 West African countries

Benin is among the 13 West African countries that will benefit from support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to strengthen the resilience of their rice value chains to the effects of climate change. The new financing was validated on July 17, 2025 in Abidjan for the benefit of the Rice Center for Africa (AfricaRice). It is part of the REWARD-adaptation project, a regional initiative with a high climate impact. The beneficiary countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ivory Coast, Ivory Coast, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Gambia, Ghana, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea, Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mali, Niger, Niger, Senegal, Senegal, Senegal, Senegal, Senegal, Senegal, Senegal, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. The project aims to sustainably adapt rice production and processing systems to increasing climate disturbances. Ultimately, it will reduce the vulnerability of the rice sector by promoting climate-smart technologies and practices, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions

The project involves a series of targeted interventions in the field. More than 11,000 farmers will be provided with resilient seeds, including nearly 5,000 women and over 6,000 young people. In parallel, 12,600 rice farmers and processors will receive technical training to improve their yields and adapt their practices to new climatic conditions

The initiative will also support 65 small and medium-sized businesses in different countries, providing them with modern equipment and facilitating their integration into local and regional business networks.