The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is a leading pan-African rice research organization committed to improving livelihoods in Africa through strong science and effective partnerships. AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. It is also an intergovernmental association of African member countries. 

The Center was created in 1971 by 11 African countries. Today its membership comprises 25 countries, covering West, Central, East and North African regions, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Uganda.

Its mission is to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security in Africa, through research, development and partnership activities aimed at increasing the productivity and profitability of the rice sector in ways that ensure the sustainability of the farming environment. 

The modus operandi of the Center is partnership at all levels. Its research and development activities are conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders - primarily the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), academic institutions, advanced research institutions, farmers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, and donors - for the benefit of African farmers, mostly small-scale producers, as well as the millions of African families for whom rice means food.

AfricaRice temporary headquarters is based in Cotonou, Benin; research staff are also based in Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania and Cote d'Ivoire.

Our social and economic research also informs governments to guide policymakers toward a more equitable supply and distribution of rice.