$40M World Bank Grant Targets Sierra Leone Food Security Growth

Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector is set for a major boost following the approval of a $40 million grant from the World Bank Group aimed at modernizing farming practices, strengthening value chains, and improving food security across the country.

The funding, provided through the International Development Association (IDA), will support the implementation of the Sustainable Agricultural Value-chains Intensification for Growth (SAVIG) project, a flagship initiative designed to enhance productivity from farm production through to processing and market distribution.

The project is expected to address long-standing challenges in the sector, including low productivity, weak market linkages, and limited access to modern agricultural inputs and infrastructure. By targeting the entire agricultural value chain, the initiative seeks to build a more efficient and sustainable system capable of supporting both farmers and agribusinesses.

Speaking on the approval, the World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone, Abdu Muwonge, said the project is designed to tackle two of the country’s most pressing development concerns at once.

“This operation is addressing two of Sierra Leone’s most pressing challenges, unemployment and food insecurity, at once,” Muwonge said. He added that strengthening agricultural value chains would not only improve livelihoods but also help lay the foundation for a more diversified and resilient economy.

Agriculture remains a central pillar of Sierra Leone’s economy, employing a significant share of the population, particularly in rural communities. Development experts believe that the SAVIG project could play a key role in reducing the country’s dependence on food imports while enhancing domestic production capacity.

The initiative is also expected to create new job opportunities, especially for young people, through expanded agribusiness activities and improved access to agricultural markets.

With implementation expected to roll out in phases, stakeholders say the success of the project will depend on effective coordination between government institutions, development partners, and local farming communities.