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.
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.
The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), successfully facilitated a three-day Food Safety Handbook Training Workshop held from 14th to 16th April 2026.
The workshop brought together agribusiness stakeholders, including farmers, processors, aggregators, and food system actors, with the objective of strengthening knowledge and practical understanding of food safety standards across agricultural value chains.
This training forms part of ongoing efforts to improve the quality, safety, and competitiveness of agricultural products in Sierra Leone, while aligning local agribusiness practices with international standards.
Participants were introduced to key principles outlined in the IFC Food Safety Handbook, focusing on:
Food hygiene and safety practices
Risk identification and mitigation
Standardization and compliance
Handling, processing, and storage requirements
Improving market readiness and consumer confidence
The interactive nature of the training enabled participants to share experiences, identify challenges, and explore practical solutions to food safety issues within their respective operations.
The initiative is expected to enhance the capacity of agribusiness actors to meet both local and international market requirements, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes and increased economic opportunities within the sector.
SLeCAD remains committed to building the capacity of its members through continuous training and the provision of practical learning resources, including the IFC Food Safety Handbook, which serves as a key reference for strengthening food safety practices across the agribusiness sector.
Training materials, including the IFC Food Safety Handbook, are available at the SLeCAD Secretariat for members and stakeholders.
The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) participatec in Q1 2026 SUN National Coordination Meeting, convened by the SUN & Food Systems Coordination Unit (SUN – FSCU) at the Office of the Vice Preseident.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders across government ministries, development partners, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen coordinatin, review progress, and align priorites for advancing nutirtion and food systems transfromation in Sierra Leone.
What the Engagement Focused On
The meeting highlighted major national achievements in 2025, including:
Launch of Sierra Leone’s 11 National Nutrition Commitment (2025-2030)
Rollout of the Nutrition Information Management Sysytem (NIMS)
Institutionalisation of Nutrition-Responsive Budgeting (NRB)
For 2026, priorities are centered on:
Strengthening data systems and accountability
Improving nutrition financing visiblility
Enhancing coordination across sectors
Driving behaviour change campaigns
Key Discussions and Strategic Insights
Stakeholders engaged in forward-looking discussions on:
Exclusive breastfeeding as a high-impact intervention
Challenges in RUTF supply, usage, and local production capacity
The need fro stronger data systems and real-time reporting
Aligning national policies with frameworks such as Feed Salone
Strengthening stakeholder coordination and accountability mechanisms
The meeting also reviewed draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for SUN coordination structures, aimed at improving governance, leadership, and collaboration.
SLeCAD’s Strategic Relevance
SLeCAD’s participation ensures that agribusiness and private sector perspectives are integrated into national nutrition and food systems discussions.
This is criticial because:
Nutrition outcomes are directly linked to agricultural productivity and food system
Private sector actors play a key role in food production, processing, and distribution.
Strengthening value chains contributies to food security and improved nutrition outcomes.
Why It Matters
Through this engagement, SLeCAD will:
Advocate for private sector inclusion in nutrition and food systems policies
Support linkages between agribusiness and nutrition outcomes
Promote investment opportunities in food systems and value chains
Keep members informed on emerging policies, funding, and partnerships
Be part of the movement shaping agriculture, nutrition, and food system in Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) participated in the National Workshop on Strengthening Inclusive National Governance – Translating Engagement Findings into a Roadmap for the Development of Robust Land Governance Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) held from 2–3 March 2026 at Brookfields Hotel, Freetown.The workshop aimed to review findings from previous engagements on land governance and to develop a roadmap for strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) at both national and district levels.
What the Project is About
The initiative focuses on strengthening land governance systems in Sierra Leone through inclusive stakeholder participation.
Land remains one of the most important resources for agriculture, agribusiness investment, food production, and rural livelihoods. However, challenges such as weak coordination among institutions, land conflicts, limited stakeholder participation, and gaps in policy implementation continue to affect land governance.
To address these issues, stakeholders are working toward the establishment of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs).
These platforms are designed to bring together government institutions, traditional authorities, civil society, development partners, academia, and private sector actors to collaborate, dialogue, and contribute to land governance processes.
The overall goal is to ensure that land administration systems are more transparent, inclusive, coordinated, and responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.
Why Multi-Stakeholder Platforms Matter
During the workshop, participants emphasized that effective land governance requires collaboration across sectors.
Multi-Stakeholder Platforms are expected to play a critical role in:
Facilitating dialogue among stakeholders involved in land governance
Supporting policy consultations and governance reforms
Promoting transparency and accountability in land administration
Strengthening coordination among institutions involved in land governance
Supporting dispute resolution and mediation processes
Providing advisory input to national decision-making processes
Importantly, participants stressed that these platforms must complement existing government institutions and legal systems rather than duplicate their roles.
Strengthening Land Governance at the District Level
In addition to national coordination, the initiative also focuses on strengthening district-level Multi-Stakeholder Platforms.
District platforms will play an important role in addressing local land governance challenges by:
Facilitating community engagement on land issues
Supporting awareness campaigns on land rights and governance
Providing a forum for addressing land disputes
Strengthening communication between communities and national institutions
Strong coordination between national and district platforms will ensure that local realities inform national policies and reforms.
SLeCAD Recognized as Agribusiness Representative
As a result of the discussions, SLeCAD was recognized as a relevant private sector representative for agribusiness stakeholders within the national Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP).
This recognition provides a strategic opportunity for SLeCAD to represent the interests of agribusiness actors and ensure that private sector perspectives are integrated into national land governance discussions.
Through this role, SLeCAD will contribute to strengthening dialogue between government institutions, investors, farmers, and agribusiness enterprises.
What This Means for Stakeholders
The establishment of inclusive Multi-Stakeholder Platforms creates several opportunities for national stakeholders.
These platforms will help:
Improve coordination between institutions responsible for land administration
Strengthen dialogue between government and non-state actors
Increase transparency in land governance processes
Promote inclusive participation in policy discussions
Address governance challenges affecting land access and use
Ultimately, these efforts will support more effective land governance systems that benefit communities, investors, and the broader agricultural sector.
The National Workshop on Strengthening Inclusive National Governance represents an important step toward building inclusive, transparent, and effective land governance systems in Sierra Leone.
The recognition of SLeCAD as a representative of agribusiness stakeholders within the national Multi-Stakeholder Platform highlights the growing importance of private sector participation in land governance processes.
By contributing to these discussions, SLeCAD will continue to support policies and initiatives that promote sustainable agribusiness development, responsible investment, and inclusive economic growth in Sierra Leone.
Get Involved with SLeCAD
SLeCAD continues to advocate for policies that support sustainable agribusiness development, responsible land investment, and private sector participation in national policy discussions. We encourage agribusiness stakeholders, investors, farmers, and development partners to engage with SLeCAD and contribute to shaping the future of agriculture in Sierra Leone.
