The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD), in strategic collaboration with the EBKUST Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub and with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), continues to strengthen agribusiness enterprises in Sierra Leone through the implementation of the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) entrepreneurship training programme combined with digital business coaching support.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve enterprise sustainability, strengthen agricultural value chains, promote employment creation, and enhance the productivity of agribusiness SMEs operating across Sierra Leone.
As part of the programme implementation, SLeCAD successfully facilitated a five-day intensive Improve Your Business (IYB) training programme designed to strengthen the business management capacity of agribusiness entrepreneurs, particularly enterprises operating within the poultry, cassava processing, palm oil production, and vegetable production value chains.
The programme brought together agribusiness entrepreneurs, SMEs, and value chain actors, many of whom are members of SLeCAD, to participate in practical entrepreneurship and business management sessions tailored to address real operational challenges affecting agribusinesses in Sierra Leone.
The SIYB training methodology developed by the International Labour Organization provides a globally recognized entrepreneurship framework aimed at improving enterprise planning, financial management, productivity, market positioning, and business sustainability.
During the training sessions, participants engaged in six major modules under the SIYB Improve Your Business framework, including:
- Planning for Your Business
- Record Keeping
- Costing
- Marketing
- People and Productivity
- Buying and Stock Control
The sessions focused on strengthening the managerial and operational capacity of entrepreneurs through practical learning approaches, case studies, business simulations, and agribusiness-centered discussions.
Under the Costing module, participants learned how to calculate production costs, determine appropriate pricing systems, improve profitability, and make informed financial decisions capable of supporting business growth.
The Record Keeping and Planning for Your Business sessions emphasized the importance of proper financial documentation, business planning, operational monitoring, and strategic growth management.
Participants also explored key areas in Marketing, where facilitators discussed customer development, market positioning, product promotion, and improving access to competitive markets.
The People and Productivity module focused on improving workplace culture, staff management, productivity systems, employee motivation, and maintaining healthy and productive business environments.
In the Buying and Stock Control sessions, entrepreneurs learned practical techniques for inventory management, supplier coordination, purchasing systems, and stock monitoring in order to reduce losses and improve operational efficiency.
As part of the programme, Agribusiness Business Clinics were also organized to provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to discuss real business challenges affecting their enterprises. The clinics addressed practical issues including feed costs in poultry enterprises, efficiency in cassava processing, productivity in palm oil production, and market access for vegetable producers.
To strengthen post-training impact and sustainability, participants will continue receiving business development support through the Hustle Coach digital platform, a digital coaching tool designed to reinforce the principles of the Improve Your Business methodology.
Through the platform, entrepreneurs will continue receiving guidance in areas such as:
- Financial management
- Costing and pricing decisions
- Marketing strategies
- Business growth planning
- Enterprise sustainability
Speaking on the importance of the programme, SLeCAD emphasized that strengthening the managerial capacity of agribusiness SMEs remains critical to improving enterprise sustainability, employment creation, food systems, and private sector participation within Sierra Leone’s agricultural economy.
The Chamber further noted that entrepreneurship development and capacity building continue to play a major role in empowering SMEs, increasing competitiveness, and promoting sustainable agribusiness transformation across the country.
The programme also reflects the growing collaboration between SLeCAD, EBKUST Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub, and the International Labour Organization in strengthening agribusiness ecosystems and supporting entrepreneurs through practical, scalable, and impact-driven interventions.
SLeCAD remains committed to promoting agribusiness development, entrepreneurship support, private sector growth, and enterprise sustainability through strategic partnerships, training programmes, and capacity-building initiatives across Sierra Leone.
📌 “When entrepreneurs are empowered with practical business knowledge, enterprises grow stronger, communities become more resilient, and economies become more sustainable.”
📌 “Capacity building is not only about training people — it is about transforming businesses, creating opportunities, and strengthening livelihoods.”
For more updates, training opportunities, partnerships, and agribusiness initiatives, follow SLeCAD on all digital platforms and visit our website regularly.
