By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 29th July 2025,ratified a €5 million financing agreement between the European Commission and the Government of Sierra Leone aimed at transforming the nation’s food and agriculture systems. The agreement, which will be implemented over five years, is fully funded by the European Union (EU) with no co-financing required from the Sierra Leonean government.
The Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmad Fantamadi Bangura, who presented the agreement to Parliament, said the project aligns with the country’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and is a core pillar under the Feed Salone Program, which seeks to modernize agriculture, boost food self sufficiency, and promote climate smart and inclusive farming practices.
“This project will empower women and youths, create jobs, enhance rural incomes, and reduce hunger and malnutrition,” Minister Bangura stated.
“It will also support low carbon agricultural production, promote sustainable value chains in cassava and infant food, and strengthen technical and vocational training to make our rural communities more resilient to climate change and economic shocks.”
The financing agreement will target multiple agricultural value chains across all regions of Sierra Leone. Key interventions will:
Modernize and upgrade food production systems to enhance national food security.
Empower women and youth through value-chain participation and alternative rural livelihoods.
Promote climate-smart agriculture and eco-friendly production techniques.
Strengthen technical and vocational education (TVET) to address agricultural skills gaps.
Support Sierra Leone’s transition toward low-carbon and inclusive economic growth.
According to Minister Bangura, the project reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, upholding transparency, accountability, and adherence to international standards in the use of donor funds.
The ratification motion received strong support across party lines, though members of the opposition called for greater transparency and accountability in implementation.
Francis Amara Kaisamba, Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Finance, described the agreement as “a straightforward and beneficial intervention” for the agricultural sector:
“€5 million for sustainable food and agriculture is a welcome support that will create jobs, reduce the cost of food, and support the government’s push for self-sufficiency.”
Opposition Chief Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK), while endorsing the agreement, urged strict monitoring:
“We must ensure this funding delivers tangible results for the people. If donor support continues without proper outcomes, it erodes public trust. Transparency in implementation is key.”
After a brief debate, the Speaker of Parliament called for a vote, and the agreement was unanimously ratified, marking another step in the country’s drive toward food security and sustainable agricultural development.
