UNDP Supports 100 Women-Led Enterprises in Sierra Leone’s Rice Value Chain
Aminata Koroma His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative at the Empowering West African Women Small and Medium Enterprises (EWASME) booth during the Feed Salone celebrations in Magburaka to commemorate World Food Day under the theme, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.”
A major highlight of the event was the symbolic handover of agricultural equipment and grants to support 100 women-led enterprises operating across Sierra Leone’s rice value chain.
Five enterprises participated in the symbolic presentation, representing the wider group of beneficiaries receiving financial and operational support through the initiative.
The support is expected to help women farmers and entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, improve agricultural productivity, expand their operations and build more sustainable livelihoods.
Through the EWASME initiative, with support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), UNDP continues to promote women’s economic empowerment while contributing to the government’s Feed Salone agenda.
The initiative seeks to expand economic opportunities for women in agriculture by providing resources to strengthen their enterprises and improve their participation in the rice value chain.
UNDP also expressed appreciation to IsDB and We-Fi for their partnership and continued commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
The initiative underscores the importance of empowering women-led businesses in strengthening food security, improving livelihoods and contributing to sustainable community development in Sierra Leone.