Government, EU, UNCDF Launch €6 Million Initiative to Support Agri-Sector Growth
At a press conference yesterday at Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, unveiled the Salone Access to Finance Agri-Financing Facility, a groundbreaking initiative to expand financing for agribusinesses and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The €6 million facility, funded by the European Union and implemented through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), introduces a matching-grant and agri-loan mechanism expected to unlock an additional €6 million from private-sector partners. The blended finance approach will channel a total of €12 million into Sierra Leone’s agriculture sector.
Delivered in partnership with Vista Bank and Safe Capital Microfinance, the program aims to provide accessible financing to farmers, innovators, and value-chain actors, with the goal of scaling production, improving efficiency, and strengthening livelihoods nationwide.
Minister Kpaka emphasized the importance of empowering SMEs to drive agricultural transformation and inclusive economic growth. “This facility is not just about financing; it is about unlocking opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses to thrive, and accelerating Sierra Leone’s food security agenda,” he said.
The Minister encouraged agribusinesses and MSMEs to apply and take advantage of the initiative, which is part of the Access to Finance pillar of Feed Salone, the government’s flagship program to transform agriculture and ensure food self-sufficiency. With agriculture employing the majority of Sierra Leoneans, the facility is expected to bridge the financing gap and foster a more resilient and innovative agricultural economy.
This is a laudable venture from the Ministry of Agriculture and the EU.
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