Ms. Safia Boly, Executive Director, African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI), and Ms. Manouk Overkamp, Partnerships Officer, AATI, visited Freetown, Sierra Leone from 24-27 September 2023 to provide further details on the value proposition of AATI and to explore how the initiative may contribute to the ongoing agricultural transformation efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). During the mission, the Executive Director was received by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Chief Minister Hon. David Moinina Sengeh, Hon. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), MAFS Directors and other Government stakeholders such as the Office of the Presidential Initiative and the National Investment Board.

H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, spoke about his vision to transform the agriculture sector in Sierra Leone through the FEED Salone strategy reiterating the impact of the agriculture sector on economic development, job creation and food security.

The Executive Director reiterated the support of the Initiative to the agricultural transformation agenda in Sierra Leone.

 “Alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Sierra Leone, the Initiative will provide support to build strong institutions, co-design roadmaps and enable the engagement of the private sector, “stated Ms. Boly, Executive Director AATI.

The AATI also met with several development partners, such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), Tony Blair Institute (TBI) and the World Bank, and attended the launch of the Agriculture Sector Donor Working Group (ASDWG). During these meetings the importance of creating an enabling environment for the private sector was highlighted and opportunities for collaboration were explored.

Alongside the Ministry’s efforts, AATI reiterated its commitment to: i) support the review of existing policy documents and the FEED Salone Strategy, ii) strengthen institutions, through the set-up of an Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO); and iii) support the implementation of key flagships through the ATO.