African rice (Oryza glaberrima) is a staple food for many people in Africa, but its origins and domestication history remain debated. Previous studies have suggested either a centric or non-centric origin for African rice domestication. This study re-examined 206 whole genome sequences of domesticated and wild African rice to assess the evidence for both scenarios. Genetic diversity analyses support a severe bottleneck caused by domestication, but signatures of recent and strong positive selection do not clearly identify candidate domestication genes, suggesting that domestication may have proceeded differently than in Asian rice. Population structure analysis revealed five genetic clusters localizing to different geographic regions. Isolation by distance was identified in coastal populations, which may explain parallel adaptation in geographically separated demes. Genome-wide phylogenetic relationships support an origin in the eastern cultivation range followed by diversification along the Atlantic coast, but further analysis of domestication genes shows distinct haplotypes in the southwest, suggesting that at least one key domestication trait may have originated there. These findings suggest that the commonly accepted centric origin of African rice must be reconsidered in favor of a non-centric or polycentric view. The study highlights the divergent roots of African rice cultivation, including a separate center of domestication activity in the Guinea Highlands. The results suggest that African rice domestication may have occurred in multiple centers, with distinct genetic lineages in different regions. The study also shows that African rice has a complex genetic history, with evidence of hybridization with O. barthii and later cultivation alongside O. sativa. The findings suggest that African rice domestication may have involved multiple independent events, with different genetic lineages in different regions. The study also shows that African rice has a complex genetic history, with evidence of hybridization with O. barthii and later cultivation alongside O. sativa. The findings suggest that African rice domestication may have involved multiple independent events, with different genetic lineages in different regions. The study also shows that African rice has a complex genetic history, with evidence of hybridization with O. barthii and later cultivation alongside O. sativa. The findings suggest that African rice domestication may have involved multiple independent events, with different genetic lineages in different regions.African rice (Oryza glaberrima) is a staple food for many people in Africa, but its origins and domestication history remain debated. Previous studies have suggested either a centric or non-centric origin for African rice domestication. This study re-examined 206 whole genome sequences of domesticated and wild African rice to assess the evidence for both scenarios. Genetic diversity analyses support a severe bottleneck caused by domestication, but signatures of recent and strong positive selection do not clearly identify candidate domestication genes, suggesting that domestication may have proceeded differently than in Asian rice. Population structure analysis revealed five genetic clusters localizing to different geographic regions. Isolation by distance was identified in coastal populations, which may explain parallel adaptation in geographically separated demes. Genome-wide phylogenetic relationships support an origin in the eastern cultivation range followed by diversification along the Atlantic coast, but further analysis of domestication genes shows distinct haplotypes in the southwest, suggesting that at least one key domestication trait may have originated there. These findings suggest that the commonly accepted centric origin of African rice must be reconsidered in favor of a non-centric or polycentric view. The study highlights the divergent roots of African rice cultivation, including a separate center of domestication activity in the Guinea Highlands. The results suggest that African rice domestication may have occurred in multiple centers, with distinct genetic lineages in different regions. The study also shows that African rice has a complex genetic history, with evidence of hybridization with O. barthii and later cultivation alongside O. sativa. The findings suggest that African rice domestication may have involved multiple independent events, with different genetic lineages in different regions. The study also shows that African rice has a complex genetic history, with evidence of hybridization with O. barthii and later cultivation alongside O. sativa. The findings suggest that African rice domestication may have involved multiple independent events, with different genetic lineages in different regions. The study also shows that African rice has a complex genetic history, with evidence of hybridization with O. barthii and later cultivation alongside O. sativa. The findings suggest that African rice domestication may have involved multiple independent events, with different genetic lineages in different regions.