By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has announced plans to establish an agriculture-only development bank aimed at expanding access to finance and accelerating the transformation of Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector under the government’s Feed Salone agenda.
The proposal was unveiled during the national budget hearings at the Ministry of Finance ahead of the 2027 financial year.
Chief Agriculture Officer, Professor Abdulai Jalloh, said the proposed bank is expected to provide access to finance for at least 100,000 farmers and other actors across the agricultural value chain.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka explained that the bank would not necessarily provide direct financing to every farmer, but would strategically target key players across the agricultural value chain to maximize its impact.
“That is what countries are doing — establish a bank, sustain the momentum, and help people in the value chain with finance. This will encourage more participation and strengthen the sector,” Dr. Kpaka said.
The proposed Agriculture Development Bank is expected to form a key component of the Feed Salone programme for 2027, reflecting the government’s focus on food security, rural development and economic resilience.
If approved and implemented, the initiative could provide a dedicated financing mechanism for farmers, agribusinesses and other stakeholders involved in Sierra Leone’s agricultural value chain.