1. INVESTING IN SIERRA LEONE Spotlight on Agriculture
Hon. Joseph Ndanema, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
June 2019
UK – SL Trade and Investment Conference

2. Sierra Leone can be your main partner to tap into Africa’s huge growth potential in agriculture
GDP and main products, per district:
Agricultural growth: 5% last 5 years
50% of GDP
The darker shade, the higher is this district’s GDP (excluding mining)
Fruits and vegetables
Annual rainfall 3,000 mm
65% of the workforce
Rice
Cash crops
Arable land: 5.4 million ha
Land under cultivation: 15%
Forestry
Cassava
Fisheries
Food exports $120 million
Food imports $455 million
Livestock

3. Agriculture is a key priority for GoSL and support is available at the highest level
“In the New Direction, the overall goal of our agricultural policy is sustainable and diversified production of food on a scale enough to feed the growing population as well as providing gainful employment.”
His Excellency the President Julius Maada Bio
State Opening of Parliament Speech

4. Agriculture is about land and people: Sierra Leone is competitive in both
Rainfall is among the highest in Africa…
…feeding into 9 river systems for irrigation.
70% of the population is rural. Sierra Leoneans are eager to work.

5. Our Ministry has paved the way for agricultural transformation and will be here to support
GOAL - Sierra Leone’s National Agricultural Transformation: by 2023, agricultural production is doubled by attracting and retaining large investments, and supporting smallholders to exit subsistence farming 1 2 3 4
Enabling environment and
governance
Towards rice
self-sufficiency
Livestock
development
Crop
diversification
Sustainable forest
and biodiversity
Priorities
Cross-cutting
Enablers
Improve the policy environment
Promote women and youths in agriculture
Step up private sector involvement and mechanisation

6. Sierra Leone offers opportunity for investment in multiple value chains:
RICE
LIVESTOCK
CROPS
FORESTRY
Over 250,000 hectares of ideal rice production ecologies (riverine, boliland and IVS)
Imports of $200 million annually: a ready domestic market through import substitution
Duty free export to ECOWAS countries with $3 billion demand
Locations: throughout the country, with most productive areas in Torma Bum, Rhombe and Kumrabai Mamila
Untapped potential for pork, lamb, beef and dairy production for import substitution and duty-free export to ECOWAS region
Opportunities for establishment of vet service businesses; hatcheries for poultry; introduction of artificial insemination technology
Locations : traditionally in the North for cattle
Cocoa, coffee, cashew, avocado, macadamia nuts: projected competitive advantage
Fresh and organically grown vegetables, legumes, spices and fruits – air access to London in 6 hours
Proven investment opportunities for palm oil, groundnut oil and coconut oil production
Valuable forest products
Ongoing reforms to the regulatory environment to avoid deforestation
Commercial forestry is a proven investment opportunity
Community forest management offers possibilities for impact investment

7. Commercial Agriculture Producers and Processors Association
They are already here:
Commercial Agriculture Producers and Processors Association

8. We are building the right environment for agro-investors to succeed
Access and infrastructure
Investment climate
The Port of Freetown is the deepest natural port in the region
New bulk terminal – Nectar Group
Public investments in new ports, feeder roads, railway networks
Market access:
3,000 nautical miles from Europe
3,800 nm from North America
2,700 nm from Brazil
6h flight to Europe
3h flight to Nigeria
Trade agreements: AGOA, ECOWAS, CFTA, EPA, MRU
Dedicated support through SLIEPA, the Ministry of Agriculture, etc.
Coordination with farmers organisation, private sector associations
Support throughout the land process: SLIEPA’s guide for agribusinesses land acquisition
Investment incentives:
5 years duty free imports
Up to 10 years tax exemptions
Ongoing reforms to create a transparent and easy process

9. GoSL is committed to support investment in agriculture, with reforms in the environment for agribusinesses
Commitments under the National Agricultural Transformation and GoSL’s National Development Plan:
Updated policies to create an enabling environment
Investment in improved in-country seed system
Reforms in agricultural finance
New system for inputs supply, with GoSL supporting agrodealers
Large investments in feeder roads and other trade related infrastructure
Support for outgrowers scheme
Investments in large-scale irrigation
Improved data collection and management

10. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION