Pakistan has kicked off a major trade push in West Africa, launching its Rice Road Show 2025 in Accra, Ghana, in a bid to strengthen food security partnerships and open new export markets.
The two-day event, led by Pakistan’s Trade Development Authority (TDAP), connected 28 Pakistani rice exporters with more than 200 Ghanaian buyers and distributors. Officials say the gathering is not just about short-term sales but building long-term supply chains and agricultural collaborations across the region.
A Growing Rice Powerhouse
Pakistan has been steadily increasing its rice exports, shipping 5.5 million metric tonnes in the 2024-25 cycle, generating $3.2 billion in revenue, according to TDAP Director-General (Agro) Athar Hussain Khokhar. He said West Africa’s booming demand for staple foods makes it a strategic focus for Pakistan’s exporters.
“Beyond trade, we’re looking at ways to support regional food security and create investment opportunities that benefit both sides,” Khokhar noted.
Ghana as a Strategic Hub
With monthly exports peaking at around 550,000 tonnes, Pakistan views Ghana as a key entry point for distributing rice across the wider West African market. The road show’s agenda also includes discussions on technology transfers, joint ventures, and partnerships to strengthen Ghana’s own agriculture industry.
Expanding the Tour
The initiative doesn’t stop in Ghana. Pakistani trade officials will take the Rice Road Show to Côte d’Ivoire on August 28-29 and Senegal on September 1-2, signalling a broader strategy to secure a foothold in the region’s growing food economy.
