The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) has successfully concluded another impactful Internship and Capacity Building Programme aimed at equipping university students with practical workplace exposure, professional mentorship, and real-world corporate experience.
The internship programme, which officially commenced on 16th March 2026 and concluded on 20th April 2026, brought together students from Njala University, the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), and Milton Margai Technical University.
As part of SLeCAD’s continuous commitment to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship development, agribusiness growth, and private sector strengthening, students were attached both internally at SLeCAD and externally to partner institutions including Bennimix and PAJAH & I.J SL LTD.
The initiative was designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical workplace application while exposing students to the realities of the corporate environment, organizational ethics, teamwork, communication, digital systems, agribusiness operations, and workplace responsibilities.
Throughout the internship journey, students were engaged in practical assignments, presentations, mentorship sessions, supervision exercises, interviews, documentation processes, digital communication activities, inventory management, customer service, marketing activities, and organizational operations.
At SLeCAD, all interns participated in the organization’s regular Monday morning devotion sessions and staff engagements, which served as an avenue for orientation, mentorship, motivation, teamwork, discipline, and professional interaction.
Several students attached internally at SLeCAD gained practical exposure in Information Technology, Administration, Reception Management, Corporate Communication, Digital Systems, Office Coordination, Reporting, Customer Service, and Professional Ethics.
Students attached to partner institutions also participated in practical agribusiness and operational activities including inventory supervision, marketing engagement, customer relations, logistics support, production support, and general workplace coordination.
One of the major highlights of the programme was the positive transformation observed among many of the students. Several interns who initially had limited practical exposure to corporate systems, workplace communication, digital tools, and organizational operations demonstrated significant improvement throughout the internship period.
The programme also provided students with opportunities to interact directly with professionals, managers, supervisors, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders, thereby strengthening their confidence, communication skills, teamwork abilities, leadership exposure, and understanding of workplace expectations.
As part of the internship monitoring and evaluation process, supervisors from participating universities visited the respective internship locations to assess student performance, supervise activities, and engage management teams regarding the effectiveness of the programme.
Evaluation reports submitted by supervisors and partner institutions highlighted the students’ commitment, willingness to learn, adaptability, discipline, responsibility, and growing professional competence throughout the internship period.
At PAJAH & I.J SL LTD, students attached under the programme demonstrated commendable commitment and professionalism. One of the students attached through the programme eventually transitioned into a staff role after demonstrating competence and reliability within the institution.
At Bennimix, students were exposed to practical agribusiness and marketing operations, where they gained direct experience relating to product engagement, marketing activities, organizational coordination, and professional interaction.
SLeCAD also conducted interviews and interactive assessment sessions with interns in order to evaluate their learning outcomes, challenges encountered, practical experiences gained, and recommendations for future improvement.
During these interactions, many students described the programme as impactful, practical, educational, and transformational. Several interns testified that the programme helped them better understand the practical application of concepts previously learned only in classrooms.
The internship programme additionally emphasized the importance of digital literacy, professional reporting, formal communication, workplace ethics, documentation, organizational responsibility, teamwork, and self-development.
As part of the documentation and visibility process, SLeCAD also produced a full internship documentary featuring interviews, testimonies, office activities, mentorship engagements, and student experiences throughout the programme.
🎥 Watch the Full Internship Documentary Here:
📸 More internship photos and highlights are also available in our Gallery Section.
SLeCAD remains committed to promoting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, agribusiness development, practical learning, and sustainable private sector growth through strategic partnerships, mentorship programmes, training initiatives, and internship opportunities across Sierra Leone.
The Chamber appreciates all partner institutions, supervisors, universities, staff members, and stakeholders who contributed to the success of this year’s internship programme.
