The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD on Tuesday 24th February, 2026 hosted a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to discuss ongoing land governance reforms being implemented on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone.
FAO is providing technical assistance through the Ministry of Lands to support the rollout of the Customary Land Act (2022) and the National Land Commission Act (2022). These landmark laws aim to strengthen land administration, enhance transparency, and promote inclusive land rights across the country.
The current pilot phase covers four districts:
- Kenema
- Bo
- Port Loko
- Bombali
The project focuses on three interrelated components:
- Gender inclusion and women’s land rights
- Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
- Strengthening land governance systems
During the engagement, SLeCAD highlighted critical structural issues affecting agribusiness development, including:
Limited land ownership rights for women
- Customary land tenure complexities
- Challenges in using land as collateral for financing
- Investment insecurity due to documentation gaps
- The impact of traditional land control systems on SME growth
SLeCAD emphasized that land is the foundation of agriculture and agribusiness. Without secure, transparent, and inclusive land governance systems, private-sector investment, rural productivity, and food security outcomes remain constrained.
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms that enhance investment confidence, promote women’s participation in agriculture, and strengthen sustainable agribusiness growth in Sierra Leone.
Visit our website regularly for updates on policy engagement, agribusiness reforms, and partnership opportunities.
