Sierra Leone strengthens agripreneurship ecosystem with support of FAO HASTEN Programme
©FAO Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is stepping up its support for agrifood enterprises through stronger public-private-academic collaboration, with the aim of creating a more coordinated, innovation-driven and inclusive agrifood ecosystem capable of driving sustainable agrifood system transformation. This ambition unfolded at the National Workshop on Strengthening Sierra Leone’s MSMEs Ecosystem through Green and Inclusive Agripreneurship, held on 24 October in Freetown.
The workshop was part of FAO’s HASTEN initiative (Harnessing SDG-based Agrifood System Transformation through the Empowerment of the Next-Generation of Agrifood Leadership in Africa), a sub-programme of the Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC), which is being implemented in Sierra Leone, Lesotho, and Rwanda, to strengthen capacities among the next generation of leaders in sustainable agrifood systems.
The workshop marked the culmination of a week-long business incubation programme in Freetown, which focused on equipping youth- and women-led enterprises with new skills and tools to scale up their operations, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshop brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and development partners to validate key findings on the support ecosystem available in Sierra Leone for agrifood micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Participants then jointly agreed to an Expression of Intent to enhance collaboration across public, private and academic sectors in support of agrifood MSMEs to address existing gaps.
Building on national commitments for agribusiness support
The FAO HASTEN initiative aligns closely with Sierra Leone’s national commitment to strengthen support for agrifood enterprises as a basis for sustainable agrifood systems transformation, complementing government priorities under the Feed Salone flagship programme.
Opening the workshop, Jeneba Alharazim, Deputy Head of the Agribusiness Promotion Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, highlighted how the government is strengthening private sector engagement:
“Food systems transformation is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture alone. That is why, in 2018, we launched the National Agricultural Transformation Programme. We need the private sector to play a meaningful role in the agricultural and agribusiness space,” she said.
“To our young people here today: in five to ten years’ time, you will be the ones driving food production in this country. You will be the agripreneurs who change the dynamics of our national food systems.”
Neneh Bah Jalloh, National Coordinator for Scaling Up Nutrition in the Office of the Vice President, also underscored Sierra Leone’s leadership on agrifood systems transformation, noting that it is one of five African countries hosting a Food Systems Coordination Unit within the Office of the Vice President, demonstrating high-level political commitment to transforming national agrifood systems.
She noted that in June, the Vice President’s Nutrition Information Transformation System was launched to enhance access to agribusiness financing. “As you know, hunger cannot be addressed just by growing food. We must process, market, and ensure quality. We are working to make sure all of this happens for us in a better way,” she said.
Empowering a new generation of agripreneurs
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@FAO / @Muzambiringa
Through these national mechanisms, the government is laying the groundwork for agrifood enterprises growth. The HASTEN initiative supports this ambition by providing guidance to select young and female agripreneurs on how to grow their business sustainably. A four-day business incubation programme proceeding the workshop (20–23 October) guided participants through sustainable business models, market and customer analysis, financing readiness, impact planning, and pitch development.
The enterprises developed practical tools including financial strategies, dashboards to measure their impact across the SDGs, and lean enterprise blueprints, enhancing their capacity to expand sustainably and attract investment.
Spotlight on the participating enterprises
 | Sierra AgriProtein Hub Ltd is a sustainable livestock enterprise producing meat and eggs while empowering smallholder farmers— especially women and youth—through training and market access. By repurposing agricultural waste into organic fertilizer, the enterprise reduces environmental impact and applies circular economy principles. |
 | Tandobayatama Agro Tech develops affordable solar-powered GSM monitoring systems that help reduce crop losses and boost agricultural productivity. The system provides real-time alerts and data-driven insights to support smarter farming decisions. Founded to address challenges like low yields and farm insecurity, his business empowers rural farmers especially women and youth with innovative tools for sustainable farming. |
 | Helzee Farms integrates organic farming, agro-processing, and renewable energy in the production of staple crops such as rice, cassava, and maize, which are processed into value-added products including Kailahun Gari (available in plain, coconut, and benni flavors), fufu flour, and palm kernel oil. In addition, Helzee Farms produces eco-friendly soap and briquettes made from bio-waste. |
 | EntoTech Innovations uses Black Soldier Fly larvae to transform organic waste into high-quality organic fertilizer (enhancing soil health and addressing land degradation) and protein-rich animal feed (for poultry, livestock, and aquaculture). This not only provides a sustainable local alternative to high-cost imports but also helps to address urban waste management in Freetown, with this waste currently put into landfill and contributing to increased flooding in the city. |
 | Cassavity SL Ltd transforms fresh cassava sourced directly from smallholder farmers — particularly women and youth — into high-quality, affordable cassava flour. By strengthening local value chains and promoting inclusive sourcing, the company supports rural livelihoods while providing nutritious and accessible food products. |
 | BeeJay’s Agricultural Value Chain Development Company Ltd enhances vegetable value chains by offering clean, ready-to-eat produce in eco-friendly packaging. The enterprise invests in sustainable vegetable production and distribution, offering a wide variety of affordable vegetables — including cabbage, carrots, lettuce, pumpkin, okra, cucumber, lemon, onions, tomatoes, eggplant, and both sweet and chili peppers — to meet the growing demand for healthy and accessible food options. |
 | CornPacks Agro Venture is an agro-processing business that transforms locally grown maize into value-added products such as corn flour, corn oil, and other maize-based goods. The business sources directly from smallholder farmers supporting fair pricing. Processing operations have a focus on reducing post-harvest losses and supporting climate-smart practices. The business also has a focus on women’s empowerment, through employment, inclusion in decision making structures and community engagement, training and partnerships. |
 | Youth Partnership for Aquaculture Development SL Ltd produces affordable, locally made fish feed and is also a technical training company. By promoting circular economic practices and community-based aquaculture, they drive sustainable growth, food security, and job creation. |
 | Safe Heaven Farm is a snail farming enterprise built on a sustainable and profitable model that focuses on the breeding, cultivation, and distribution of high-quality snails for both consumption and agribusiness. The enterprise sells fresh and smoked snails, delivering organically raised products while empowering farmers through training and sustainable agribusiness solutions. |
 | Pallon Farms is a hybrid agribusiness that combines eco-friendly poultry production with youth training and agritourism to tackle unemployment and food insecurity. The farm raises broilers and layers for meat and egg production while serving as a living laboratory for sustainable farming education. |
@FAO Sierra Leone / @Muzambiringa
Through this enterprise capacity development and multisectoral coordination, Sierra Leone is paving the way for youth- and women-led agripreneurship to play a central role in achieving its sustainable agrifood systems transformation.
