ADERIZ: Akabra Valérie Eponou succeeds Yacouba Dembélé

The Agency for the Development of the Rice Sector (ADERIZ) changes captain. By decree n°2026-651 of September 23, 2026, Akabra Valérie Eponou, wife Acka, agro-economist engineer, was appointed General Director of the structure. She took office on Wednesday September 30, 2026. She succeeds Yacouba Dembélé, who led the institution for 16 years. ADERIZ expressed its gratitude to him for his commitment to serving the rice sector and wishes him every success in the rest of his career. A public administrative establishment established by Decree No. 2018-10 of January 10, 2018, ADERIZ replaced the National Rice Development Office (ONDR). It coordinates and regulates the sector, without directly intervening in production, processing or sales.Its role consists of supporting actors in the value chain and implementing the National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS), the objective of which is the country's food self-sufficiency. This handover comes at the end of a long mandate, opening a new stage in the life of the Agency, under new management. For the new Director, the challenge will be to consolidate the achievements and continue the march towards self-sufficiency in rice.