AYV News, November 27, 2025
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the European Union (EU), has officially unveiled the €6 million Salone Access to Finance Agri-Financing Facility.
The Facility will expand access to finance across the agricultural sector by combining EU funding with private capital from Sierra Leonean financial institutions. This innovative approach reduces the cost of borrowing and opens opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses to grow, create jobs, and strengthen food security.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security-Dr. Henry Kpaka welcomed the initiative, saying, “The Salone Access to Finance Facility is a strong example of how we can empower smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to move from subsistence to success. It aligns with the Feed Salone vision and will help create jobs, improve productivity, and build a stronger rural economy.”
H.E. Jacek Jankowski, EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone said, “Agriculture is central to Sierra Leone’s economic transformation. By improving access to affordable finance, we are empowering farmers and agribusinesses to unlock their full potential and drive inclusive growth.”
UNCDF Country Lead, Firuz Shukurov highlighted the sector’s challenges, noting that agriculture contributes 35–40% to Sierra Leone’s economy but receives only 4% of commercial bank lending due to perceived risks, noting, “We are introducing a new public-private model to unlock affordable and well-designed agricultural loan products. The goal is to reduce interest rates, expand lending, and ensure that every actor along the value chain—from rice and cassava to maize—can access financing”.
Firuz Shukurov went on saying, “This Facility is a bold step towards building a stronger financial ecosystem for agriculture. The €6 million EU contribution will unlock an additional €6 million from local banks to support long-term agricultural investment.”
Pa Ousman Njie, Managing Director, Vista Bank (SL) Ltd said, “Vista Bank is proud to be part of this initiative that places trust and opportunity directly in the hands of Agri-MSMEs. Repayment discipline will ensure continued access to finance and growth for all.”
In alignment with the Government’s Feed Salone initiative, this partnership demonstrates how blended finance can transform agriculture and support inclusive national growth. The Facility is being implemented by UNCDF with funding from the EU and in partnership with Vista Bank Sierra Leone and Safe Capital Microfinance.
The Facility is open to agricultural enterprises across the entire value chain, including smallholder farmers, cooperatives, farmer groups, processors, aggregators, and agribusinesses involved in crops such as rice, cassava, maize, vegetables, palm oil, cocoa, cashew, and poultry.
Farmers and agribusinesses can apply for loans to:
• Buy seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs
• Acquire farm equipment or processing machinery
• Support working capital and business expansion
Applications are now open at Vista Bank and Safe Capital Microfinance branches nationwide. Interested applicants can visit any branch to learn more about eligibility, prepare loan applications, and receive guidance from trained officers.
All applications will be reviewed fairly and transparently. Applicants must show a viable business plan and repayment capacity.
