Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s agriculture sector is a key driver of livelihoods and food security, yet it faces challenges such as limited infrastructure, climate vulnerabilities, and low productivity. The EU and Sierra Leone are working together to strengthen agricultural value chains, ensuring sustainable production, market access, and job creation while preserving Sierra Leone’s natural resources and key ecosystems. Our efforts focus on: 

• Supporting key value chains such as rice, cocoa, palm oil, cassava, and infant food to help the country achieve food sovereignty and seize export revenue opportunities.
• Promoting climate-smart approaches in production and processing and facilitating access to climate- resilient and improved varieties.
• Strengthening farmers institutions and producer networks.
• Improving access to finance for agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills and access to markets.
• Restoring, managing, and protecting biodiversity and ecosystems notably through a territorial approach and promoting the sustainable management of natural assets. 

A dynamic private sector is essential for economic growth and job creation. The EU is supporting a more competitive and inclusive business environment, with a specific focus on youth and women-led businesses. Key interventions are aiming at:  

• Enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by providing them with quality business development services.
• Facilitating access of companies to regional and international markets through the provision of support to overcome non-tariff barriers to trade.
• Supporting the implementation of institutional reforms contributing to the creation of an enabling and predictable business environment.
• Facilitating access to finance for early-stage businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Together with Sierra Leone, the EU is expanding access to sustainable and affordable energy, supporting economic growth and improving livelihoods. Our common efforts focus on increasing renewable energy generation and distribution, enhancing accessibility, and promoting clean energy solutions. This involves: 

• Supporting investment in solar mini-grids and other renewable energy infrastructure such as the Bumbuna hydro-electric plant to provide sustainable electricity for households.
• Promoting the use of renewable energies, technologies and digitalisation and enhancing the skills and competencies of the labour force and businesses.
• Improving the governance and financing of the renewable energy sector by strengthening the capacities of the relevant authorities, improving the regulatory and investment framework and developing new financing solutions.

Education is fundamental to economic and social progress, yet challenges remain in access, quality, and workforce readiness. The EU and Sierra Leone are working together to improve learning outcomes, expand vocational training, and strengthen social protection. 

• Enhancing the quality of vocational training, increasing private sector and local authority involvement in TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).
• Improving the quality of teaching by supporting teacher training.  
• Facilitating access to early childhood, primary, and secondary education while addressing gender gaps.
• Supporting the national school feeding programme to improve nutrition, school attendance, and local food production.
• Strengthening vocational training and skills development to boost employability and job creation.

Strong governance and inclusive democratic institutions are essential for stability and economic resilience. To consolidate peace and prevent violent conflict, enhance inclusion and strengthen democracy the EU actions focus on:  

• Supporting inclusive, credible, and peaceful elections through technical assistance and conflict prevention efforts. 
• Improving public financial management by strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, debt management, fiscal decentralisation, budget reliability, budget oversight and supporting policy dialogue. 
• Promoting responsible supply chains in artisanal mining while ensuring compliance with international standards. 
• Supporting decentralisation by improving local governance, public services, and community engagement. 
• Strengthening civil society organisations to monitor governance, advocate for human rights, and promote civic participation. 
• Promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment as integral to inclusive governance and democratic participation. 
• Strengthening legal frameworks, essential services, and civil society initiatives to prevent gender-based violence and uphold women's rights.