The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) successfully convened a high-level Agribusiness Private Sector Meeting focused on the World Bank-supported Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains Intensification for Growth (SAVIG) Project. The engagement brought together key stakeholders from across the agricultural sector, including farmers, agribusiness operators, private sector actors, and institutional representatives.
The primary objective of the meeting was to enhance awareness and understanding of the SAVIG Project, particularly its structure, focus areas, eligibility criteria, and the opportunities it presents for agribusiness growth and investment in Sierra Leone.
The SAVIG Project is designed to strengthen agricultural productivity and competitiveness by focusing on key value chains, including cocoa, maize, rice, and horticulture. The initiative adopts a private sector-driven approach, ensuring that interventions are aligned with market realities while promoting sustainability and long-term impact.
A central component of the project is the strengthening of agricultural input systems. Stakeholders emphasized that beyond availability, the quality of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers remains a critical issue affecting productivity. The project therefore works through relevant institutions to improve input standards, ensure proper regulation, and enhance accessibility for farmers and agribusiness operators.
In addition to input systems, the project places strong emphasis on capacity building. Beneficiaries will be supported with training in climate-smart agriculture, standardization, and agribusiness management, enabling them to improve productivity, meet market requirements, and access both grants and financing opportunities.
Participants were also informed that the project targets three key categories of beneficiaries: processors, aggregators, and farmer organizations or cooperatives. The selection process will be conducted through independent and specialized private sector entities to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability.
SLeCAD’s role within this framework remains strategic, leveraging its national network of agribusiness actors to facilitate coordination, support stakeholder engagement, and contribute to effective monitoring of the implementation process.
During the engagement, participants raised important concerns regarding inclusivity, transparency in beneficiary selection, and the need to ensure that genuine agribusiness actors, particularly active farmers and women, are prioritized. There were also calls for strengthening agro-dealer networks and improving access to extension services to support farmers at the local level.
Additionally, a cross-cutting issue related to land access and the presence of underutilized agricultural lands was briefly highlighted, reinforcing the need for improved coordination in land use planning to support agribusiness expansion.
The engagement reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and development partners in driving agricultural transformation in Sierra Leone.
SLeCAD remains committed to supporting its members and the broader agribusiness community by providing timely information, facilitating access to opportunities, and advocating for an enabling environment that promotes sustainable growth and investment.
Agribusiness actors, farmers, and investors are encouraged to stay engaged with SLeCAD and position themselves to benefit from ongoing and upcoming opportunities under the SAVIG Project.
Stay connected with SLeCAD for more updates.
The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) successfully convened a high-level agribusiness private sector engagement with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Vista Bank Sierra Leone, and support from the European Union, aimed at enhancing access to finance for agribusinesses across Sierra Leone.
Held on 25th March, 2026 at the SLeCAD Conference Hall, Lumley Beach Road, Freetown, the meeting brought together key stakeholders including agribusiness companies, SMEs, farmer-based organizations, cooperatives, and private sector actors to deepen understanding of the Matching Grant Financing Facility under the Government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative.
Driving Access to Finance for Agribusiness Growth
The engagement was convened in response to growing demand from SLeCAD members and agribusiness stakeholders seeking clarity on how to access financing opportunities. Over time, the Chamber has received numerous inquiries regarding eligibility, procedures, and requirements for funding support. This meeting therefore served as a critical platform to bridge the information gap and connect private sector actors directly with financing institutions.
In his remarks, the leadership of SLeCAD emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to advocating for its members by facilitating strategic partnerships and ensuring that agribusinesses are well-positioned to benefit from available financing windows.
Overview of the Matching Grant Financing Facility
Madam Jerioth
UNCDF Representative
During the session, representatives from UNCDF and Vista Bank provided detailed insights into the structure and requirements of the financing facility. The scheme is designed to support agribusiness value chain actors through a blended financing model, which includes:
A grant component of up to 50% of the total financing package
A loan component of up to 50%, provided by Vista Bank under agreed terms
Access to funding of up to USD $120,000 equivalent in Leones, depending on the scale and viability of the agribusiness
Participants were guided through key eligibility criteria, including:
Business registration within the agricultural sector or related value chains
Demonstrated operational track record and performance
Availability of a clear business plan with projected cash flows
Compliance with financial and collateral requirements
Key Discussions and Stakeholder Engagement
The session featured interactive discussions, allowing participants to raise concerns and seek clarification on critical issues such as:
Access to finance barriers for SMEs and smallholder farmers
Loan conditions, interest rates, and collateral requirements
Business formalization and readiness for investment
Strengthening agribusiness value chains through targeted financing
Stakeholders also highlighted persistent challenges including limited access to affordable finance, market constraints, and gaps in technical capacity, reinforcing the need for continuous engagement between financial institutions and the private sector.
Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration
The engagement reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector in advancing Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation agenda. With support from the European Union and UNCDF, initiatives such as this are contributing to building a more inclusive and resilient agribusiness ecosystem.
SLeCAD reiterated its role as a key intermediary, ensuring that its members are not only informed but also supported in navigating financing processes and meeting eligibility requirements.
Call to Action for Agribusiness Stakeholders
SLeCAD encourages all agribusinesses, SMEs, cooperatives, and value chain actors to take proactive steps in preparing their businesses to access such opportunities. This includes strengthening business structures, improving financial records, and developing bankable proposals.
The Chamber remains committed to providing continuous support, advisory services, and platforms for engagement to ensure that no member is left behind.
Conclusion
This engagement marks another important milestone in SLeCAD’s efforts to unlock financing opportunities for agribusiness development in Sierra Leone. By connecting stakeholders with the right institutions and information, the Chamber continues to play a pivotal role in driving private sector growth, job creation, and food systems transformation.
For More Information
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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.
👉 Become a Member of SLeCAD Membership
Visit our website to learn more and get involved Home
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.
SLeCAD Engages World Bank Group on Private Sector Resilience and Agribusiness Development – February 4, 2026
