In Africa, rice double cropping is commonly practiced where irrigation and drainage facilities are available. However, the yield performance of both rice crops, especially the second one is usually lower than the potential due to a large number of constraints. Above all, extreme temperatures, unreliable rainfall, low soil fertility and pest infestation as well as short interval between the two rice crops, poor farm management and low economic incentives have been reported. For the development of techniques to increase the productivity of rice double cropping the complexity and diversity of the continent's agro-ecosystems, farming conditions and socio-economic structures must be taken into account.