This study investigated rice production status, rice consumption characteristics, and rice import and export trends in sub-Saharan Africa for researchers and policy makers on rice production in Africa and to suggest key strategy to improve rice self-sufficiency in Africa. In recent years, sub-Saharan Africa has seen an increasing number of food security conflicts because of climate change. The ultimate solution is to increase their food productivity and self-sufficiency in their countries. Rice is very important for poverty reduction in Africa because of its availability and affordability, making it accessible to the poor in Africa as a staple food. The total area of rice production in sub-Saharan Africa has nearly doubled from 7 million ha in 2000 to 13 million ha in 2020, and rice demand is also on the rise. However, the climate change and extreme weather events have led to greater variability in rice productivity, and international rice prices have increased continuously, making it increasingly difficult to improve Africa's rice self-sufficiency. In order to increase rice production and improve self-sufficiency in Africa, there are many challenges, such as irrigation facilities, improving soil quality, and supplying pesticides and fertilizers, but the most important is to develop and disseminate new rice varieties suitable for the African region. This will require not only breeding appropriate varieties for Africa's climate and soil, but also selecting proper varieties that meet the preferences of Africans. Additionally, an infrastructure system from production, cultivation, harvesting and storage to processing for the appropriate rice varieties should be aligned at the same time.