Freetown, October 2025 — The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) has successfully hosted a National Dialogue on Youth Agripreneurship and Food System Innovation, bringing together young agripreneurs, policymakers, development partners, and private sector stakeholders for a forward-looking conversation on the future of agriculture in Sierra Leone.
The dialogue aimed to empower youth-led agribusinesses by addressing key challenges such as access to finance, limited market opportunities, inadequate training, and weak value-chain integration. Participants engaged in open discussions on how innovation, technology, and capacity-building can strengthen youth participation in the agricultural sector and drive long-term national food security.
In his opening remarks, SLeCAD’s leadership emphasized the critical role young people play in transforming Sierra Leone’s food systems. With over 60% of the population under the age of 35, youth engagement in agribusiness is essential for increasing productivity, reducing unemployment, and fostering sustainable economic growth. The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to providing platforms that support youth innovation, entrepreneurship, and professional development.
The event featured panel sessions with experts from government ministries, donor organizations, financial institutions, and agritech companies. Discussions covered topics including climate-smart agriculture, digital tools for farming, value-chain upgrading, and investment opportunities for youth-led enterprises. Participants also explored how policies and partnerships can help remove systemic barriers and create a more enabling environment for young agripreneurs.
Development partners praised the initiative, noting that empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders is fundamental to building resilient and competitive food systems. They encouraged increased collaboration among government, private sector actors, and youth networks.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to developing actionable strategies that will strengthen youth innovation, expand agribusiness opportunities, and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector. SLeCAD announced plans to continue engaging youth through mentorship programs, training sessions, and incubation support for emerging agripreneurs.
SLeCAD remains dedicated to championing agribusiness development in Sierra Leone and supporting the next generation of leaders who will drive the country’s food system transformation.
