The incidence, distribution and severity of bacterial diseases of rice was studied in West Africa. Two bacterial diseases‐the bacterial leaf streak caused byXanthomonas campestrispv.oryzicolaand bacterial leaf blight caused byXanthomonas campestrispv.oryzae‐were detected. Both bacterial diseases were found to be more prevalent and severe in the Sahelian than in the forest zone of West Africa. They are rarely found in the more humid zone of West Africa. Bacterial leaf blight was found to be more widely distributed in the Sahelian region than the bacterial leaf streak. The incidence of bacterial leaf blight was found to be aggravated by high dosages of nitrogen. Lossese ranging from 2.7% to 41.0% in grain yiefd were inflicted on the rice crop by bacterial leaf blight. Some control measures are recommended.