Following the food price crisis in 2008, African governments implemented policies aiming at crowding in investment in rice value chain upgrading to help domestic rice compete with imports. We assess the state of rice value chain upgrading in West Africa by reviewing evidence on rice millers’ investment in semi-industrial and industrial milling technologies, contract farming and vertical integration during the post-crisis period 2009–2019. We find that upgrading is more dynamic in countries with high rice production and import bills and limited comparative advantage in demand. However, scaling of upgrading faces several challenges in terms of vertical coordination, technology, finance and policies. Our assessment can help value chain actors and policy makers refine upgrading strategies and policies to increase food security in West Africa.

在2008年食品价格危机之后，非洲各国政府实施了旨在大举投资大米价值链升级的政策，以帮助国内大米与进口商品竞争。我们通过回顾2009-2019年危机后稻米种植者在半工业和工业制粉技术，合同农业和垂直整合方面的投资证据，评估了西非稻米价值链的升级状况。我们发现，在稻米生产和进口费用高，需求比较优势有限的国家，升级更为活跃。但是，升级的规模在垂直协调，技术，财务和政策方面面临若干挑战。我们的评估可以帮助价值链参与者和政策制定者完善升级策略和政策，以提高西非的粮食安全。