28 October 2025 | Freetown, Sierra Leone: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security brought together around 25 international and regional investors along with more than 40 domestic agrifood companies for the Sierra Leone Agrifood Investor Summit held in Freetown on 28 October 2025.

Opened by His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the event showcased the country’s vast investment opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness – underpinned by strong political commitment, abundant natural resources, and an improving business environment.

“This Summit’s goal is to unlock the full potential of Sierra Leone’s land and people by creating opportunities for productive investment in agriculture,” said President Bio. 

“My government remains firmly committed to building a supportive environment for businesses and investors. Together, we can drive the growth of a stronger, more resilient, and self-sufficient agrifood economy.”

During the Summit, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Vista Bank signed a EUR 10 million agreement to expand access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises in Sierra Leone. The facility will prioritize key agrifood value chains, including cashew nuts, rice, cocoa, palm oil, cassava, coffee, and fruit and vegetable processing.

The Summit brought together international and regional agrifood firms, development finance institutions and impact funds, alongside Sierra Leonean enterprises operating across priority value chains including rice, cassava, cocoa, cashew nuts, poultry and feed grains (maize and soya), forestry, and palm oil. Through interactive panel discussions and networking sessions, participants explored investment opportunities, policy incentives, and potential returns in Sierra Leone’s growing agrifood sector.

The Government aims to increase domestic food production and reduce imports by 25 percent within the next five years. Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, stated: 

“Through our President’s flagship initiative, Feed Salone, we are mobilizing both public and private investment to boost productivity, value addition, and inclusive growth across the agrifood sector. We want to send a clear signal that Sierra Leone is open for business – ready to partner with investors and agrifood companies to scale production and strengthen food systems.”

Saeed Abubakar Bancie, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Sierra Leone, stated: 

“Sierra Leone has immense potential, backed by strong political commitment, to transform its agrifood systems sustainably. The FAO Investment Centre, in collaboration with the European Union, is supporting the Government to implement the Feed Salone strategy by providing technical expertise to translate this vision into concrete actions that strengthen resilience and sustainability across the sector.”

Martin Wiese, Action Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone said: 

“Through this Agrifood Investor Summit and the signing of a 10 million Euro loan agreement between the European Investment Bank and Vista Bank, the European Union is reaffirming its commitment to supporting the Feed Salone initiative. At the same time, we strengthen ties between European and Sierra Leonean private sector actors, in line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy for Africa."

British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Josephine Gauld added: “Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector holds immense potential, and the Government’s leadership through the Feed Salone strategy provides a clear roadmap for transformation. Through strong collaboration between the British High Commission, the UK-funded Invest Salone programme, British International Investment, our international partners, and the Government of Sierra Leone, we are supporting investment in agribusiness, job creation, and building long-term resilience. The UK is pleased to be a long-standing partner on this journey, supporting efforts to unlock the full potential of Sierra Leone’s agrifood systems.”

Transforming food systems relies on strong partnerships – a principle that guided the collaboration that made the Investor Summit possible. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security worked with FAO, the European Union, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), British International Investment (BII), the Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA), and Invest Salone, to provide technical support for the event.

Source: European Union