AGP Executive Report

Agriculture: Sierra Leone has begun its first wheat trial in Kabala, testing heat-tolerant varieties with a potential yield of 6–7 tonnes per hectare as it seeks to strengthen food security. Jobs: At a regional meeting in Freetown, Planning Minister Kenyeh Barlay reaffirmed the target of creating 500,000 youth jobs by 2030 and urged governments to turn commitments into results. Public Revenue: Budget Advocacy Network is tracking 34 unresolved revenue issues, including NLe 938.9 million in unpaid electricity bills and NLe 170.5 million in contract income reportedly not paid into the Consolidated Fund. Trade and Industry: President Bio urged African countries to process their own minerals and agricultural products, build local industries and expand regional trade. Agricultural Finance: Government, the central bank and UNCDF are working with lenders to improve finance for farmers and agribusinesses, including through a €6 million EU-backed matching grant facility. Economic Outlook: IMF estimates put Sierra Leone’s 2026 GDP per capita at US$946.47, ranking it 11th among the world’s poorest countries.

Industrialisation & Trade: President Bio urged African nations to process minerals and farm products locally, build industries and expand regional trade. Russia Ties: A Sierra Leone delegation is in Moscow for the Russia-Africa summit, with energy and minerals cooperation on the agenda; Russia’s ambassador says energy talks are under way. Economic Outlook: IMF estimates put Sierra Leone’s 2026 nominal GDP per capita at US$946.47, ranking it 11th among the world’s poorest countries; this is not a measure of individual income. Agriculture Finance: Government, the central bank and UNCDF are working with lenders to expand financing for rice, poultry and onion value chains, including through a €6 million matching-grant facility. A separate delegation is in Rwanda exploring investment and farming partnerships. Business & Infrastructure: Sierra Leone’s GTBank subsidiary posted ₦15.23 billion in profit after tax for the first nine months of 2026. The new Chinese-backed national shipping venture plans an initial 30-vessel fleet, while Sierra Leone also joined regional talks on digitalising ports to ease trade.

District Projects: Sierra Leone’s Planning Ministry is pressing ministries and local councils to coordinate better, monitor commitments and deliver district projects on time, with sustainable financing still a key challenge. Farm Finance: Agriculture officials, the central bank and UNCDF are working with lenders to expand financing for rice, poultry and onion businesses. A €6 million EU-backed facility combines loans and grants to lower borrowing costs. Trade: Twenty-six countries signed the Accra Convention, which aims to make cargo documents usable across road, rail, air and sea transport and help businesses secure trade finance. Sierra Leone also joined a regional workshop on port digitalisation, focused on cutting delays and improving data exchange. Banking: GTCO’s Sierra Leone subsidiary earned N15.23 billion in profit after tax in the first nine months of 2026, according to the group’s unaudited results. Costs and Shipping: Sierra Leone had Africa’s third-highest petrol price in October, at $2.03 a litre. Its new China-backed shipping venture, launched this month, plans an initial 30-vessel fleet to carry minerals, fuel and agricultural goods.

Farm Finance: The Agriculture Ministry, Bank of Sierra Leone and UNCDF are working with lenders to expand credit for rice, poultry and onion businesses. A €6 million EU grant facility is designed to lower borrowing costs for eligible firms. A Sierra Leone delegation is also in Rwanda seeking agribusiness partnerships under Feed Salone. Energy & Minerals: Russia says it is discussing energy cooperation with Sierra Leone, while Russian geological firms are engaging government agencies on mineral development. Fuel Costs: Sierra Leone had Africa’s third-highest petrol price in October, at $2.03 a litre, adding pressure on transport and household budgets. Trade & Logistics: The Chinese-Sierra Leone shipping venture plans an initial 30-vessel fleet to carry minerals, fuel and agricultural goods. AGL says it moved 20,000 cubic metres of heavy equipment for a thermal power project. Regional Finance: AFC and Munich Re launched a $1 billion risk-sharing programme to expand trade finance for African banks. Ghana’s new cargo-document convention aims to help businesses use goods in transit to secure financing.

Fuel Costs: Sierra Leone had Africa’s third-highest petrol price in October, at US$2.03 per litre, adding pressure to transport and business costs. Shipping: The Chinese-backed Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company plans to start with 30 vessels and grow to 50, carrying minerals, fuel and farm produce to reduce reliance on foreign operators. Trade Finance: A US$1 billion AFC–Munich Re programme will expand trade financing for banks in 11 African countries. Separately, 26 countries signed Ghana’s Accra Convention, which aims to make cargo documents usable to secure loans and help narrow Africa’s trade finance gap. Creative Industries: A free AI filmmaking programme backed by Google has opened applications to creators in Sierra Leone and four other African countries; applications close on 15 November.

Recruitment Risks: Ukrainian intelligence reports a sharp rise in Russian military recruitment from Sierra Leone, with some Africans allegedly lured by job offers before being sent to fight. Investment Push: Sierra Leone’s November West Africa Integration and Investment Summit is set to bring regional leaders, investors and project sponsors together to pursue deals in energy, minerals, agribusiness and digital infrastructure. Power Projects: AGL Sierra Leone says it moved more than 20,000 cubic metres of cargo, including three heavy turbines, to support construction of a thermal power plant. Fuel Costs: Sierra Leone’s petrol price was reported at $2.03 a litre, the continent’s third-highest, highlighting the burden of import and distribution costs. Trade and Shipping: Sierra Leone has launched a national shipping company with Chinese support, a move industry leaders say could help retain more freight earnings in the region.

Investment: WAIIS 2026 has named its first political and business speakers, including six leaders and 18 business figures, for its November 16–18 summit in Lungi. The event aims to turn talks on energy, minerals, agriculture and digital connectivity into investment deals. Power: AGL Sierra Leone says it has moved more than 20,000 cubic metres of cargo for a thermal power project, including three turbines weighing over 115 tonnes each. The delivery highlights the complex logistics behind adding electricity supply. Digital Finance: Airtel Money reported first-half revenue of $830 million, up 25.1% year on year, with customers rising 18.7% to 56.7 million across its markets. Fuel Costs: Sierra Leone ranked third in Africa for petrol prices in October, at $2.033 a litre, adding pressure to transport and business costs. Shipping: Sierra Leone’s launch of a national shipping company with Chinese support is drawing regional attention, as industry leaders warn that reliance on foreign carriers drains freight earnings from African economies.

Food and Energy Security: Russia’s ambassador says Russian technology could help Sierra Leone strengthen food and energy security, with both areas potential avenues for trade and cooperation. The Agriculture Ministry has also warned that antimicrobial resistance threatens food production and called for stronger disease surveillance and responsible medicine use. Small Businesses: The Agriculture Ministry and UNDP handed equipment to 100 small enterprises, including women-led businesses, to support production, transport and reduce post-harvest losses. Maritime Trade: President Bio launched Sierra Leone’s national shipping company, backed by a partnership with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group, as part of reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s maritime sector. Investment: Sierra Leone’s Labour Minister is promoting business partnerships with India, while the government says private investment is key to expanding digital infrastructure. Public Finance: MP Beatrice Langley joined an African Development Bank programme in Rwanda focused on debt management, transparency and accountability.

Maritime Trade: Sierra Leone has launched a national shipping agency through a joint venture with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group, aiming to strengthen the country’s role in moving exports and support wider maritime reforms. Agribusiness: The Agriculture Ministry and UNDP handed equipment to 100 small businesses, including women-led enterprises. The support is expected to improve transport, processing and reduce crop losses. Digital Security: Sierra Leone’s cybersecurity agency warned businesses and website operators that serious flaws in PHP-based services could expose systems to remote attacks. Coastal Livelihoods: Sand mining at Mahera Beach supports local families and women traders, but heavy extraction is damaging the coastline and tourism, raising concerns about the long-term cost to the community.

Agribusiness: The Agriculture Ministry and UNDP handed equipment, including rice mills, motorbikes and a tractor-trailer, to 100 small businesses in Tonkolili. The support aims to boost production, transport and women-led enterprises. Cybersecurity: Sierra Leone’s cyber agency warned businesses and website operators about critical PHP flaws that could let attackers take control of vulnerable servers, urging them to secure their systems. Maritime Trade: Sierra Leone has launched a national shipping company with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group, as part of reforms intended to strengthen the country’s role in moving exports. Digital Investment: Communications Minister Salima Bah says private investors will need to help fund digital infrastructure, including a proposed submarine cable in which mobile operators would hold a majority stake. Coastal Livelihoods: Mahera’s sand trade supports local families and women sellers, but nearly 50,000 cubic metres are extracted each year, damaging the coast and threatening tourism.

Agriculture: The government and UNDP have delivered equipment—including rice mills, motorbikes and a tractor-trailer—to 100 small businesses in Tonkolili. The support aims to expand women-led agribusinesses, improve transport and cut post-harvest losses. Cybersecurity: Sierra Leone’s cyber agency warned businesses and website operators that critical flaws in PHP-based services could let attackers take control of vulnerable servers, urging prompt action to protect online systems. Maritime Trade: Sierra Leone has launched a national shipping company with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group, as part of reforms intended to strengthen the country’s role in transporting goods. Digital Investment: Communications Minister Salima Bah says private investors will be key to expanding digital infrastructure, including a proposed submarine cable in which mobile operators would hold a majority stake. Business Partnerships: Labour Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma has urged stronger Sierra Leone–India business ties, calling for investment that creates jobs and builds partnerships with local firms.

Cybersecurity: Sierra Leone’s NC3 has warned businesses and website operators of critical flaws in PHP-based services that could let attackers take control of affected servers. Shipping: The new Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company, backed by China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group, plans a fleet of up to 50 vessels to carry the country’s imports and exports. The venture is 70% Chinese-owned and 30% held by the state shipping agency. Digital Infrastructure: Communications Minister Salima Bah says private investment is essential to expand digital infrastructure, including a proposed submarine cable in which mobile operators would hold a majority stake and government a minority share. Trade and Ports: Sierra Leone’s ports chief has urged African ports to coordinate on cyber risks as digital systems reshape maritime trade. Business Partnerships: Labour Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma is promoting closer Sierra Leone–India business ties to attract investment and create jobs.

Shipping: Sierra Leone has launched the China-backed Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company, targeting a fleet of 50 vessels, with 30 planned in its first phase. The venture aims to win a larger share of the country’s cargo trade, supported by legislation granting the national carrier rights over 40% of import and export cargo value. Digital Investment: Communications Minister Salima Bah says private investment is essential to expand digital infrastructure, including a proposed submarine cable in which mobile operators would hold a majority stake. Port Modernisation: Ports chief Yankuba Askia Bio urged African ports to coordinate against cyber threats and strengthen digital systems as trade becomes more technology-driven. Business Partnerships: Labour Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma has called for stronger Sierra Leone–India business ties to attract investment, create jobs and build partnerships with local firms. Regional Power: Liberia’s electricity regulator and TRANSCO CLSG have pledged closer cooperation to improve the reliability and commercial sustainability of the power link serving Sierra Leone and its neighbours.

Regional Power: Liberia’s electricity regulator and TRANSCO CLSG have pledged closer cooperation to improve reliability and cross-border trade on the Côte d’Ivoire–Liberia–Sierra Leone–Guinea power link. Shipping: President Julius Maada Bio has launched Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company, a joint venture with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group. The company plans a 50-vessel fleet, starting with 30 ships, to carry exports such as iron ore and bauxite and imports including fuel and grain. Power Investment: NASSIT officials toured the 108.4MW NANT power plant project in Freetown, which is expected to supply baseload electricity. The project currently employs 740 people, including 597 Sierra Leoneans.

Power Investment: NASSIT officials toured the 108.4MW NANT power plant under construction at Kissy Dockyard. The project employs 740 people, including 597 Sierra Leoneans, and is expected to supply baseload electricity to Freetown and the Western Area. Maritime Trade: President Bio launched a shipping joint venture with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group. Sierra Leone’s National Shipping Agency owns 30% and the partner 70%; plans call for a 50-vessel fleet, with 30 in the first phase. Investment Drive: Labour Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma pitched opportunities in mining, trade and agriculture to Indian investors, while Chief Minister David Sengeh met UK officials to discuss investment, trade barriers and the cost of doing business. Tax Administration: The NRA is installing upgraded electronic cash registers directly at eligible businesses, part of a nationwide programme using 10,000 devices to improve GST recording and compliance.

Cost of Living: Freetown expenses vary widely by housing and lifestyle, with rent often paid well ahead of time—an upfront cost for people moving to the capital. Investment Drive: Chief Minister David Sengeh discussed trade and investment with UK officials, while Labour Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma pitched opportunities in mining, agriculture and trade to Indian investors, linking new business to job creation. Trade and Shipping: President Bio launched the Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company, aiming to give the country a greater role in moving its imports and exports. Tax Compliance: The NRA is installing upgraded electronic cash registers at eligible businesses to improve GST reporting and collection. Growth Outlook: An IMF projection points to slower economic growth in Sierra Leone in 2027, sharpening the focus on investment, jobs and trade.