West Africa Sub-Regional Office (SRO-WA)

West Africa Business Linkages Platform (WABLP)

Rice Value Chain Activation Programme

28-29 September 2026, Online

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Subregional Office for West Africa (ECA/SRO-WA), will convene a two-day Virtual Market Access Exchange on 28–29 September 2026 under the West Africa Business Linkages Platform (WABLP) Rice Value Chain Activation Programme.

The initiative brings together Business Support Organisations (BSOs), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), buyers, processors, finance providers and other value-chain stakeholders across West Africa to strengthen commercial linkages and promote greater integration of the regional rice value chain.

The exchange aims to facilitate new business and market opportunities, strengthen partnerships among value-chain actors, improve access to finance and market intelligence, and support cross-border trade and investment in the rice sector.

Building on the WABLP network of more than 500 BSOs and SMEs across ECOWAS member states, the programme seeks to translate regional rice value-chain opportunities into concrete commercial partnerships and follow-up actions, contributing to stronger intra-regional trade and more resilient food systems in West Africa.