In the rural heart of West Africa, families sit down to eat rice every day. It’s more than a staple; it’s a lifeline. But behind the scenes, an invisible barrier is preventing this essential food from reaching those who need it most. The issue isn’t the rice itself; it’s getting it to the communities that rely on it, and at a price they can afford.
This gap in food access is a significant challenge for many West African communities. Governments, schools, and other institutions often face financial struggles when it comes to paying for food deliveries. While suppliers demand upfront payments, these organizations sometimes face delayed government disbursements, leaving them unable to secure the food they need, ultimately contributing to food insecurity.
Tackling the Payment Gap: A New Approach
In response to this challenge, a growing number of organizations and initiatives are exploring ways to bridge this financial gap in food supply chains. One such approach comes from Jasminica, a company founded in Ghana by Vietnamese-Canadian visionary Fan Yang and American entrepreneur Janica Southwick, that has introduced a new model to ensure affordable food access in the region.
By focusing on flexibility in payment terms, Jasminica aims to provide a sustainable solution to the financing difficulties faced by local institutions. The company’s model helps organizations navigate the complex challenges of securing rice for communities, offering terms that are better suited to the delayed financial cycles that often hinder food access.
Building a Sustainable Food Supply Network
Jasminica’s strategy is not just about delivering rice; it’s about creating a long-term, sustainable food supply system. Over the past year, the company has delivered large quantities of Jasmine rice to Ghana, working to build an extensive network that includes ministries, public schools, police and military units, and regional distributors. These partnerships aim to address logistical challenges and ensure that the right food reaches the right people at the right time.
By focusing on high-quality, nutritious rice, the company is contributing to a larger conversation about improving food access to other Ghana’s neighboring countries in West Africa, such as Mali, Liberia and Burkina Faso, where rice makes up a significant part of the diet in many regions.

Photo Credit: Jasminica
Tangible Results: A Breakthrough in Delivery
This year, Jasminica has financed and fully delivered 500 metric tons of Jasmine rice using a cash-and-carry model—an approach that remains rare for startups in the region due to the financial risk involved. The company is actively processing an additional 3,000 metric tons, with more inventory already en route or at port, and a growing pipeline of institutional demand.
Rather than relying on traditional bank funding, Jasminica’s founders Yang and Southwick chose to assume much of the financial risk themselves, working directly with end users across sectors. This approach has created ripple effects across the market, enabling tens of thousands of rice bags to be sold to public institutions, including ministries and national police forces.
This milestone represents meaningful progress in addressing the payment barriers that limit food access—and it demonstrates how agile financial strategies can reshape food supply chains in developing regions.
Overcoming Logistic and Security Risks
One of the major hurdles in moving food across West Africa is the region’s complex logistics and security concerns. Transportation challenges, infrastructure bottlenecks, and even piracy can make it difficult to ensure that food gets to where it's needed most.
Organizations working in this space must continuously develop creative solutions to overcome these obstacles. From negotiating directly with transporters and customs brokers to ensuring safe delivery routes, overcoming these logistical challenges requires innovation and adaptability.
A Growing Network of Local Partnerships
The key to ensuring food security lies in long-term, local partnerships. By collaborating with local distributors, retailers, and community groups, the founders created a more resilient supply chain. Building trust within these communities is essential to developing sustainable systems that meet food access needs over time.
With a growing focus on local solutions, some of Jasminica’s initiatives are reinvesting in agricultural development locally to create lasting impact in the regions they serve. This long-term approach emphasizes stability and sustainability, ensuring that food systems can continue to grow and evolve as the region’s needs change.
The Bigger Picture: Addressing Food Insecurity in West Africa
Jasminica’s approach to food access is one of many efforts aimed at addressing food insecurity in West Africa. With a growing population and ongoing economic challenges, access to affordable, nutritious food is more critical than ever. Innovative models, like those emerging in the region, are proving that with the right partnerships and strategies, significant progress can be made.
Ultimately, solutions to food insecurity in West Africa will require a collective effort from governments, NGOs, businesses, and local communities. By working together and supporting innovative approaches, Jasminica is proving that it's possible to create food supply systems that are both resilient and sustainable.
For more information, visit Jasminica.com or follow them on social media at @jasminica.rice (Instagram, TikTok) and @jasminicarice (X).