By: Saidu Jalloh
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has made a compelling case for expanding financial access for smallholder farmers at the High-Level Conference on Financing Smallholder Farmers in Africa. The two-day event, hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Pan African Farmers Organisation (PAFO), brought together global partners, policymakers, financial institutions, and agricultural stakeholders to explore solutions to the $75 billion annual financing gap affecting smallholder farmers across the continent.
In his address at the conference, Dr. Kpaka highlighted Sierra Leone’s proactive approach to addressing this pressing issue, particularly through President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship Feed Salone program. He pointed out the four financing options launched last year, totalling $28 million, as a significant step toward improving smallholder farmers’ access to credit. However, he emphasised that more efforts are required to ensure sustainable financing solutions, enabling farmers to expand production, access markets, and build resilience against both economic and climate-related challenges.
Moreover, Dr. Kpaka elaborated on Sierra Leone’s focus on AgTech solutions to digitalise agricultural value chains. He stressed that these innovations would not only make it easier for smallholder farmers to access credit but also reduce transaction costs and improve overall productivity. By leveraging technology, smallholder financing could be formalised, allowing farmers to be recognised as viable clients for financial institutions and investors alike.
Additionally, Dr. Kpaka participated in discussions on the role of private sector investment in smallholder agriculture. He also highlighted strategies for incentivising financial institutions to increase lending to this critical sector. In this regard, the Minister underscored Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to create a business environment where banks and investors view agriculture as a sector with immense growth potential and attractive returns.
As Sierra Leone continues to push for innovative and inclusive financing solutions, the discussions at this conference are expected to shape the next steps toward ensuring smallholder farmers receive the support they need to drive agricultural growth and food security across the continent.