By: Mohamed J. Bangura
Sierra Leone is seeking to attract international investment into its agricultural sector as Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, arrives in Rome, Italy, to promote investment opportunities under the government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative.
Dr. Kpaka is attending the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 80th World Food Forum and Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, where he is expected to engage development partners, international investors and other stakeholders on opportunities to transform the country’s agricultural sector.
His participation forms part of the government’s efforts to position agriculture as a driver of economic growth, job creation, food security and poverty reduction.
Feed Salone is one of the government’s five national priorities, commonly known as the Five Game Changers. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported food, increase domestic production and improve the livelihoods of farmers and other players across the agricultural value chain.
Through Feed Salone, the government seeks to transform agriculture from predominantly subsistence farming into a more productive, commercially oriented and investment-driven sector capable of supplying local markets and creating business opportunities.
At the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, Dr. Kpaka is expected to showcase investment opportunities in key agricultural areas, including cassava production, oil palm cultivation, livestock development and the expansion of agricultural value chains.
Investment in these areas could increase production, improve processing capacity, strengthen market access and encourage greater private-sector participation in agriculture.
For instance, investment in cassava production and processing could create opportunities for farmers, agro-processors, transport operators and traders. Similarly, developing oil palm cultivation and livestock production could support local industries, generate employment and reduce reliance on imported agricultural products.
However, transforming the agricultural sector requires more than increasing production. Farmers also need access to markets, processing facilities, storage infrastructure, financing, modern technologies and reliable distribution networks.
By presenting these opportunities to international stakeholders, Sierra Leone aims to attract the investment and partnerships needed to address longstanding challenges in the agricultural sector.
The Rome engagement also provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with international institutions and investors interested in agricultural development, food security and sustainable economic growth.
The FAO World Food Forum brings together stakeholders to discuss food systems, agricultural innovation and strategies for addressing food insecurity. The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum provides countries with a platform to present investment opportunities and connect with potential financing and development partners.
For Sierra Leone, participation in the forums aligns with the government’s broader ambition to make Feed Salone a key driver of national development.
Agriculture remains an important source of livelihoods for many Sierra Leoneans, particularly those in rural communities. However, improving productivity, expanding commercial farming and strengthening agricultural infrastructure remain essential to unlocking the sector’s economic potential.
The Feed Salone initiative seeks to address these challenges by encouraging increased food production, supporting farmers and promoting investment throughout the agricultural value chain.
Private-sector investment is expected to play an important role in expanding farming operations, introducing modern agricultural technologies, improving processing capacity and creating employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
A stronger agricultural sector could also help reduce food imports and save foreign exchange, while creating more opportunities for local producers and businesses.
Dr. Kpaka’s participation in the Rome investment forum is therefore part of the government’s efforts to translate its agricultural priorities into investment opportunities that can deliver tangible benefits for farmers, businesses and consumers.