By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a landmark move to enhance food security and agricultural development, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio presided over the signing ceremony of a €35 million financing agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the European Union (EU) on Friday, January 31, 2025, at State House. The agreement aims to strengthen the country's agricultural value chains and support the Government’s flagship "Feed Salone" programme.

The "Sustainable Food and Agricultural Value Chains Development" programme, funded through this agreement, is expected to drive significant improvements in the cassava, oil palm and infant food value chains. It will introduce climate-smart agricultural practices, improve processing efficiency and create decent green jobs, particularly for women and youth involved in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.

During the ceremony, Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, described the agreement as a vital boost to Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector, emphasizing its role in strengthening food value chains, increasing production and ensuring national food security.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, expressed his delight at the EU’s continued support, noting that the financing agreement aligns with Sierra Leone’s vision for an agriculture-driven economy. He stressed the programme's focus on enhancing cassava, oil palm and infant food production, which are essential to food security and economic growth.

EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Jacek Jankowski, commended the Government for its dedication to sustainable development. He noted that this agreement follows three previous financing agreements signed between the EU and Sierra Leone last year, highlighting the EU’s commitment to agricultural transformation and food security in the country.

In his address, President Bio expressed gratitude to the European Union and its taxpayers for their unwavering support of Sierra Leone’s development. He reaffirmed the Government’s strong partnership with the EU, citing the tangible benefits of previous collaborations in infrastructure, education and economic empowerment.

President Bio emphasized that the EU’s investments extend beyond infrastructure to community empowerment and livelihood improvement, directly impacting the lives of Sierra Leoneans. He praised the EU for aligning its interventions with the "Feed Salone" programme, which he described as a priority under his administration’s Big Five Game Changers.

He further stressed that food security, improved infant nutrition, job creation, especially for women and youth and climate-smart agriculture are key pillars of his Government’s vision for economic transformation. President Bio reassured that the grant would be efficiently utilized to deliver tangible outcomes in Sierra Leone’s agricultural value chains.

The "Sustainable Food and Agricultural Value Chains Development" programme is part of the EU’s Multiannual Indicative Programme (2021–2027) and focuses on two primary objectives:

- Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability – The initiative aims to improve the efficiency and inclusivity of the oil palm, cassava and infant food value chains. This will be achieved through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, ensuring resilience in the face of climate change while promoting sustainable food production.


- Expanding Market Access – The programme seeks to increase market opportunities for Sierra Leonean farmers, particularly women and youth who have undergone TVET training. By linking producers to sustainable markets, the initiative will enhance economic empowerment and livelihood opportunities.

This agreement builds upon ongoing EU-Sierra Leone cooperation in agriculture, including efforts to improve access to agricultural financing, develop rural infrastructure such as feeder roads and provide targeted support for value chains in crops like orange-fleshed sweet potato, pineapple, cashew and cocoa. The initiative is expected to drive inclusive economic growth by empowering local communities through modernized agricultural techniques.

Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador Jacek Jankowski reiterated the EU’s dedication to fostering inclusive and sustainable development in Sierra Leone. “This financing agreement represents our shared vision of greener, more productive and more resilient food systems in Sierra Leone,” he stated.

Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura emphasized the alignment of the programme’s objectives with the Government’s "Feed Salone" initiative. “This agreement strongly supports our national priorities by focusing on climate-smart approaches and empowering women and youth, essential components for sustainable agricultural growth,” he noted.

The European Union remains a steadfast partner in Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation, investing in employment-driven agricultural food systems for health, nutrition and economic stability. This latest initiative reinforces the EU’s ongoing commitment to food security, community empowerment and economic growth through sustainable agricultural value chains.

With this financing agreement, Sierra Leone takes another step toward achieving food self-sufficiency and long-term agricultural resilience, paving the way for greater economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities.