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A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) paid a courtesy call on Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) in Freetown to discuss strategies for enhancing regional cooperation in agricultural development.
The engagement, held at the Youyi Building, focused on transforming agriculture across West Africa through partnership, policy coordination, and investment promotion.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, welcomed the delegation and highlighted the government’s “Feed Salone” initiative under President Julius Maada Bio. He said the programme seeks to position agriculture as an investable and competitive sector, with youth and women playing central roles in driving growth.
Dr. Kpaka noted that Sierra Leone has achieved 72 percent national food self-sufficiency and reduced imports of rice, poultry, eggs, and onions, allowing the government to redirect savings into other priority sectors. He stressed the importance of stronger regional trade policies, research and innovation, improved input systems, and sustained resource mobilization, adding that ECOWAS collaboration is critical for accelerating agricultural transformation.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, ECOWAS Commissioner Sylla Kalilou commended Sierra Leone’s progress in key value chains and reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to agriculture as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and resilience. He also referenced regional initiatives in Liberia, The Gambia, and Cameroon aimed at improving competitiveness, quality standards, and market access.
Senior Permanent Secretary at MAFS, Madam Nancy Tengbeh, concluded the meeting by summarizing key action points for the Ministry’s leadership.
