The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) participated in an International Executive Training on Best Practices in Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) held at Wusum Hotel, Makeni, from 14–18 April 2025.
The training strengthened capacity on climate change adaptation and mitigation in agriculture, with a focus on resilient food systems, sustainable productivity, gender inclusivity, and scalable CSA practices eligible for financing. Key stakeholders from agribusinesses, farmer organizations, government institutions, and development partners shared practical experiences on implementing CSA across value chains.
SLeCAD’s participation reinforces its commitment to promoting climate-resilient agribusiness, inclusive growth, and investment-ready agricultural systems in Sierra Leone.
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The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) conducted a Back-to-Office mission under the SCADeP project from 9th–12th May 2022, covering Bo, Kenema, Kailahun, and Makeni, to assess matching grant beneficiaries and agribusiness investments.
The mission evaluated beneficiary performance across poultry, rice processing, palm kernel oil, soap production, and out-grower schemes, focusing on business growth, job creation, value-chain efficiency, and sustainability. Key beneficiaries visited included Clean Africa for Agricultural Development (CAFAD), Mountain Lion Agriculture, Big Things Company Limited, and other agribusiness operators.
Findings showed strong impact in production capacity, women and youth employment, infrastructure development, and value-chain linkages, while challenges such as machinery gaps, skills development, post-harvest losses, and sustainability were identified. The mission concluded with strategic recommendations to strengthen monitoring, technical assistance, out-grower management, and agribusiness scalability.
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The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) engaged farmers, agribusiness SMEs, and key stakeholders in Port Loko District from 6th–11th September 2023 under the Opportunity Salone Project, implemented with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The engagement introduced the project, outlined beneficiary selection criteria, and registered eligible farmers—particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities—engaged in high-potential vegetable value chains such as onion and chili pepper. Discussions focused on access to inputs, business development services, market linkages, and investment readiness, aimed at strengthening productivity and agribusiness sustainability.
Through structured capacity building and partnership facilitation, SLeCAD continues to position itself as a trusted agribusiness institution, connecting farmers, projects, and investors for inclusive economic growth.
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The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) engaged Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAF) District Offices and project partners in Port Loko, Bombali, and Kono Districts to strengthen coordination around key agribusiness value chains.
The engagement focused on improving access to inputs, capacity building, market linkages, and out-grower development for farmers and agribusiness SMEs, particularly within the Sorghum, Sesame, and Pigeon Pea value chains. Discussions also reinforced SLeCAD’s role in facilitating partnerships that support commercial agriculture, food security, and private sector growth.
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The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) successfully concluded a strategic plan validation process at the Radisson Blu Hotel, marking an important milestone in strengthening the Chamber’s institutional direction and relevance within Sierra Leone’s evolving agribusiness landscape.
The validation exercise formed part of SLeCAD’s broader effort to reposition itself as a leading private sector agribusiness institution capable of responding to current production realities, market demands, and policy priorities. Through this process, the Chamber reviewed and refined its strategic focus areas to ensure that its programmes, partnerships, and services remain aligned with the needs of its members and national development objectives.
Key priority areas emerging from the validation included strengthened partnership collaboration, targeted membership capacity building, increased emphasis on production across value chains, and the mainstreaming of gender considerations across programmes and engagements. These focus areas reflect SLeCAD’s commitment to building a more inclusive, productive, and market-oriented agribusiness sector.
The strategic plan validation also represents a renewed opportunity for SLeCAD to deepen its engagement with public institutions, development partners, and private sector actors. Established by agribusiness private sector players with support from government and international partners, the Chamber continues to serve as a structured platform for small, medium, and large agribusiness enterprises to engage in policy dialogue, market development, and coordinated sector growth.
Recognizing that its previous strategic framework had become less responsive to emerging trends in production and agribusiness development, SLeCAD, through its Board and Management, worked with partners to develop an updated roadmap that reflects current realities. The partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) was instrumental in this process, providing technical expertise that strengthened the quality, clarity, and practicality of the new strategic direction.
The validated strategic plan provides a clear roadmap for the Chamber’s operations over the 2021–2025 period, outlining priority programmes, implementation pathways, and performance indicators for measurable impact. For SLeCAD members, this framework signals a more focused approach to capacity building, market access, partnership development, and enterprise growth, ensuring that the Chamber’s activities translate into tangible value for agribusiness actors.
By validating its strategic plan, SLeCAD reinforces its role as a credible bridge between policy, partnerships, and private sector participation. The process positions the Chamber to more effectively support government priorities, engage development partners, and create practical opportunities for its members within Sierra Leone’s agribusiness ecosystem.
Interested in agribusiness opportunities or partnerships with SLeCAD?
Connect with us to learn more about how your business can engage with our programmes and networks.
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