Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has called for increased investment in resilient energy infrastructure, agricultural innovation and food security across West and Central Africa, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in protecting African economies against global economic shocks.

The Vice President made the appeal on Monday, 19 October 2026, while officially opening the sixth Market for Agricultural Innovations and Technologies (MITA 2026) at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown.

The three-day conference, running from 19 to 21 October, attracted over 500 participants from eight countries implementing the Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), showcasing more than 100 agricultural technologies and innovations in livestock, aquaculture and integrated farming systems.

Organized by the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), the conference is hosted by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), with World Bank financing.

Addressing participants, Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized that smaller African economies remain particularly vulnerable to inflation, climate-related disruptions, rising production costs and global supply-chain challenges.

“I used the opportunity to reiterate the call for CORAF member countries to build resilient infrastructure anchored in energy and food security to strengthen our capacity to withstand global shocks that disproportionately affect small economies,” he stated.

He further advocated stronger regional cooperation and expanded intra-regional trade, stressing that African countries must translate their agricultural potential into shared economic prosperity.

The Vice President also urged Governments, researchers and private-sector stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of agricultural innovations through improved financing, extension services and technology transfer, particularly for smallholder farmers.

MITA 2026, held under the theme “Facilitating Access to Technologies and Innovations for Animal Production and Integrated Agriculture-Livestock-Aquaculture Systems,” seeks to promote the commercialization and adoption of proven agricultural technologies.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, highlighted President Dr Julius Maada Bio’s flagship Feed Salone initiative, describing it as central to increasing domestic food production, reducing import dependence and creating employment.

Dr Henry Musa Kpaka encouraged citizens to “grow what they eat and export what they grow,” emphasizing agricultural modernization and private-sector participation.

World Bank Task Team Leader Adetunji Oredipe underscored the importance of improved seeds, appropriate technologies and regional partnerships in strengthening agricultural productivity and climate resilience.

CORAF Board member Dr Kalifa Traore highlighted the conference’s role in promoting technology adoption, while CORAF Executive Director Dr Moumini Savadogo reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to connecting agricultural research with farmers and commercial investors.

The conference features technology exhibitions, ministerial discussions, research presentations and business networking, alongside the Abdoulaye Touré Agricultural Innovation Award, whose winners are expected to be announced on 21 October.

Sierra Leone’s hosting of MITA 2026 reinforces its commitment to agricultural transformation, regional integration and sustainable development.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s central message emphasized that strategic investments, technological innovation and stronger regional partnerships remain essential to achieving food security, economic resilience and lasting prosperity across West and Central Africa. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65565