As part of a programme funded by the European Union, the NGOs Glopolis, SOS FAIM and VECO and their farmer partners conducted several studies of the rice sector in 5 countries across West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal. This article aims to present a review that cross-references these studies, carried out at the end of 2014 and 2015. Various perspectives will be considered: public policy; sector organization; the production, processing and marketing of rice; pricing structure; the consumer’s perspective; key issues and future challenges.