AfDB Approves $2.25 Million to Boost Sierra Leone’s Fertilizer Access and Food Security

In a major stride toward improving agricultural productivity and food security, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $2.25 million financing package for Sierra Leone under the Fostering Africa's Agricultural Productivity through Fertilizer Value Chain Financing (FOSTER) project. The initiative will empower thousands of smallholder farmers to access quality fertilizers, strengthen the country's agricultural value chains, and reduce dependence on food imports.

The project, to be implemented by Welthungerhilfe, represents a collaborative effort to address one of Sierra Leone's most pressing challenges: limited access to affordable and reliable fertilizers. By leveraging innovative financing mechanisms, FOSTER aims to mobilize private investment, enhance soil fertility, and promote climate-resilient farming practices across the country.

"The FOSTER project represents a strategic and timely intervention to address one of the most critical constraints to agricultural development in Sierra Leone," said Halima Hashi, AfDB Country Manager for Sierra Leone. "By mitigating risks across the fertilizer value chain and strengthening the enabling environment, we are laying the foundation for sustainable growth, enabling smallholder farmers to enhance their productivity and improve their livelihoods."

Breaking Down the Financing Package

The $2.25 million package includes:

• $1.5 million Partial Credit Guarantee from the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM) to de-risk lending and encourage private sector participation.

• $700,000 grant for soil health management, focusing on sustainable fertilizer use and soil restoration.

• $50,000 in-kind contribution from Welthungerhilfe, covering technical assistance and on-the-ground implementation.

Together, these funds are expected to mobilize approximately $9 million in private financing, significantly scaling up investment in Sierra Leone's fertilizer distribution network. The project targets the distribution of 9,500 metric tons of fertilizer to more than 126,000 farmers, including 40% women and 10% youth.

Addressing a Critical Gap in Fertilizer Use

Despite having abundant arable land and strong agricultural potential, Sierra Leone's fertilizer consumption remains alarmingly low — 12.8 kg per hectare, compared to the 131 kg per hectare recommended under the Nairobi Declaration. This shortfall has led to soil degradation, low crop yields, and increased reliance on food imports, particularly rice, which reached 351,000 tonnes in 2021.

FOSTER seeks to reverse these trends by making fertilizer more accessible and affordable through innovative credit and guarantee schemes. By doing so, the project aims to increase fertilizer application rates from 2.8 kg to 35 kg per hectare, potentially raising yields of key crops such as rice, onions, tomatoes, and soybeans by up to 30%.

"Fertilizer access is a game-changer for Sierra Leone's smallholder farmers," said Hashi. "It unlocks the potential of our agricultural sector, supports food self-sufficiency, and contributes directly to national economic growth."

A Multi-Pronged Approach to Sustainable Agriculture

The FOSTER project comprises three interconnected components designed to create a holistic and sustainable agricultural transformation:

1. Credit Guarantee Facility: Through partnerships with key financial institutions — including Apex Bank, Rokel Commercial Bank, Ecobank Sierra Leone, and Safe Capital Microfinance — the facility will extend credit to fertilizer suppliers and agro-dealers. This will ensure that liquidity and financing reach the critical nodes of the fertilizer value chain, enabling timely distribution to farmers.

2. Policy and Institutional Strengthening: Working alongside Sierra Leone's National Fertilizer Regulatory Agency, FOSTER will help develop gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable fertilizer policies. It will also support the creation of an agro-dealer database and strengthen regulatory frameworks to ensure quality assurance and traceability of fertilizer products.

3. Capacity Building and Soil Health Management: Farmers will receive training through 120 field days and 100 demonstration plots spread across the districts of Bo, Kenema, Pujehun, and Kono. The focus will be on soil testing, sustainable application techniques, and climate-smart agriculture. Over 126,000 farmers — including women and youth — will benefit from technical assistance on efficient fertilizer use, soil conservation, and integrated pest management.

Empowering Women and Youth

Women and youth are at the heart of FOSTER's design. With 40% of beneficiaries being women and 10% youth, the project promotes inclusive growth by ensuring equitable access to training, resources, and finance. This focus aligns with the AfDB's High 5 strategic priorities, particularly "Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa" and "Feed Africa."

Through targeted interventions, women entrepreneurs and young farmers will gain improved access to input financing, market linkages, and entrepreneurship opportunities, helping to transform agriculture into a viable and profitable enterprise.

"This initiative will help create sustainable livelihoods and foster a new generation of agripreneurs in Sierra Leone," said a Welthungerhilfe representative. "Empowering women and youth is not only socially just but economically smart."

Promoting Climate Resilience and Soil Health

In addition to improving yields, FOSTER will strengthen Sierra Leone's resilience to climate change and soil degradation. The project's soil health management component will introduce integrated soil fertility practices, such as the use of organic amendments, crop rotation, and conservation agriculture.

These efforts directly support the AfDB's Building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure agenda, ensuring that agricultural investments are sustainable and environmentally sound.

"Fertilizer use must go hand in hand with responsible soil management," said an AfDB agriculture specialist. "By integrating soil health into agricultural financing, FOSTER will help build long-term resilience and productivity."

Toward a Resilient and Self-Sufficient Sierra Leone

Running from December 2025 to November 2028, the three-year project is expected to deliver tangible improvements in productivity, income, and food security. It will help reduce the country's dependence on imported staples, strengthen rural economies, and contribute to Sierra Leone's National Agricultural Transformation Programme.

FOSTER aligns with the African Development Bank's commitment to promoting inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural systems across the continent. It also supports regional objectives under the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Initiative (AFSHI), aimed at closing the continent's nutrient gap and ensuring food sovereignty.

"The FOSTER project is more than a financing initiative — it's a pathway toward a self-reliant agricultural future," Hashi said. "By empowering smallholder farmers with access to inputs, knowledge, and finance, we are helping Sierra Leone realize its vast agricultural potential."