The Jollof Wars: how it started, how its going
Jollof Rice is a fiercely contested food across Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia and Senegal. Each country makes the dish differently and each claims it has the best.
Some of the world's most influential personalities have been unable to decide. King Charles turned the question into a joke. IShowSpeed just backflipped out of it.
But World Reframed is made of sterner stuff so we decided to enter the Jollof Wars.
What is Jollof rice?
At its core, Jollof rice is a one-pot dish made with rice, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and a blend of spices. Simple on paper.
In reality, it is anything but.
Across West Africa, Jollof is a symbol. It sits at the centre of celebrations, gatherings, and everyday life. In countries like Ghana and Nigeria, no event feels complete without it. It is not just a dish - it is a statement.
Where did Jollof come from?
Historically, Senegal is widely credited as the origin of Jollof rice, linked to the Wollof people of Senegal and The Gambia.
Interestingly, in Senegal it is not even called Jollof. The dish is known as Thieboudienne, pronounced Chee-boo-Jen, and is typically made with fish and vegetables in a more stew-like style.
But while Senegal may have started the story, the loudest voices in the modern debate belong to Ghana and Nigeria.
When the debate went global
For years, the Jollof debate lived online. Then in 2017, it spilled into the real world.
Festivals and competitions were held in cities like Accra, Lagos, and even Washington DC, turning a cultural rivalry into an international spectacle.
The results only added fuel to the fire:
- Senegal won a Ghana-based radio competition
- Nigeria took victory at a Washington DC festival with over 600 tasters
- The Gambia shocked everyone by winning Ghana’s official festival - with a version that did not even use tomatoes
Yes, no tomatoes. Chaos.
And Ghana? No wins that year. A detail quietly left in the past.
Fast forward to 2025, and Nigeria secured another major victory - this time in Accra itself. For Ghanaians, that one stung.
So what is the difference?
Despite the arguments, each version of Jollof rice reflects its country’s culinary identity.
Ghana Jollof
- Rich, deep tomato base
- Slightly smoky from the cooking method
- Made with jasmine rice, often called perfume rice
- Balanced spice, not overpowering
- Typically served with meats, eggs, or stews
Nigeria Jollof
- Stronger pepper flavour
- Distinct smoky, firewood-style taste
- Often oilier and spicier
- Lighter tomato base compared to Ghanaian Jollof
Senegal (Thieboudienne)
- Fish-based
- Includes vegetables like cabbage and carrots
- More stew-like
- Less red in colour
Gambia Jollof
- Sometimes made without tomatoes
- Includes mustard and fish
- Yellowish in colour
So yes - everyone is doing something different. And still arguing about who does it best.
The recipe: Ghana Jollof rice
If you want to understand the debate, you have to try it yourself.
Step 1 - The base
Blend tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and ginger into a smooth mixture.
Step 2 - The stew
Fry tomato paste with onions, then add the blended mixture. Let it cook down until thick, rich, and deeply flavoured.
Step 3 - Seasoning
Add spices such as curry powder, thyme, and bay leaves. Pour in your protein stock for depth.
Step 4 - The rice
Add washed rice directly into the stew, allowing it to absorb all the flavour.
Step 5 - The magic
Cook on low heat with a tight cover. Let it steam, not boil.
The secret is patience and balance. Ghana Jollof is not aggressive - it is confident.
More than food
Jollof rice has moved beyond the plate. It appears in music, pop culture, and everyday language. Entire songs have been written about it, sometimes as humour, sometimes as rivalry, sometimes even as metaphor.
It is food, but it is also storytelling.
So who actually has the best Jollof?
Ask a Ghanaian, and the answer is obvious. Ask a Nigerian, and you will get the same certainty.
Ask anyone else, and you may get a diplomatic response.
Perhaps that is the real point.
The Jollof Wars are not about winning. They are about pride, identity, and the joy of sharing something deeply rooted in culture. There are no casualties - only full stomachs and bruised egos.
And if even the King of England and the King of YouTube refuse to choose a side, perhaps you do not need to either.
World Reframed episode 34
World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.
ISSN 2978-4891
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
