The Gambia is celebrating another victory in West Africa’s jollof rice competition, cementing its culinary reputation.
It beat several countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Sierra Leone to win the Heritage Jollof Rice contest at the 2026 West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST) held in Banjul from 15 to 21 October.
The festival attracted more than 300 delegates, including over 30 international chefs from across West Africa and beyond.
This is the second consecutive title for The Gambia after its 2025 win in Accra, as the long-running debate continues over which country makes the best jollof, one of the region’s most iconic dishes.
The rivalry has been most intense between Ghana and Nigeria, but neither made the top three. Liberia came second and Burkina Faso third in the jollof category.
Jollof is crucial as West Africa’s culinary identity — a symbol of heritage, rivalry and unity that drives food tourism. It is prepared by simmering rice in a rich stew of tomatoes, onions, oil, spices and stock, often with fish, chicken or meat, with The Gambia’s winning version using mustard and fish without tomato.
With this triumph, the Gambian team, led on the competition floor by Chef Haddy Nyang, defended their 2025 title.
Tourism Minister Abdoulie Jobe congratulated the chefs and praised organisers, saying the victory strengthens Gambia’s heritage: “A visitor may come to The Gambia for a beautiful sunset, but a memorable meal may be what brings them back.”
Beyond jollof, The Gambia also won Chef of the Year, Bread Bakery and BBQ. Sierra Leone won the Three-Tier Cake category and was runner-up for Chef of the Year. Burkina Faso won the Students Challenge.
Nigeria took second in BBQ and Bread Bakery, while Ghana finished second in Three-Tier Cake behind Sierra Leone.
‘Pillar of culture’
WAFFEST is a rotating regional festival founded in 2018 by Ghanaian Chef Isaac Sackey through the Chefs Association of Ghana.
The competition has gained international attention, with EU representatives in attendance.
EU Ambassador to The Gambia, Imma Roca i Cortés, described food as a “powerful pillar of culture and identity that unites communities” and congratulated The Gambia.
Representatives from Türkiye’s Yunus Emre Institute in The Gambia also attended the festival.
In a statement, the Yunus Emre Institute, which promotes Turkish language, arts and cultural exchange, expressed delight in the “growing connection between Gambian culinary professionals and Turkish cuisine, contributing to the cultural friendship between Türkiye and The Gambia.”
Nigeria is expected to host the 2027 edition.
