Sierra Leone’s cabinet has approved development financing worth about $73.8m for agriculture, affordable housing and other projects, the government says.
The approvals were announced by Information and Civic Education Minister Chernor Bah at the government’s weekly press briefing in Freetown.
The biggest allocation is a $40m grant from the International Development Association for a project to increase agricultural production and improve farmers’ access to markets and finance.
The government says the project will directly benefit nearly 100,000 farmers, including about 40,000 women and 30,000 young people.
It will support climate-smart farming, digital agricultural services, value addition and private investment.
Another $23.8m from the African Development Fund has been approved for the first phase of a rice-processing project.
The project will support climate-resilient rice production, improve local processing and strengthen food security. It will also establish an agro-industrial hub and agricultural transformation centres.
“Feed Salone remains a priority for this government,” Mr Bah said.
Cabinet has also approved a $10m concessional loan from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa to help Sierra Leone acquire additional shares in Shelter Afrique Development Bank.
The government says the investment will improve the country’s access to financing for affordable housing, urban development and related infrastructure.
The agreement must be ratified by parliament.
Cabinet has also approved plans to replace the National Social Security and Insurance Trust Act of 2001 with a new National Social Security and Pensions Authority Act.
The proposed law would extend coverage to self-employed workers, microenterprises and people working in the digital economy.
It would also introduce measures to improve governance and transparency and ensure the long-term sustainability of the pension system.
“The current law is 25 years old. The labour market has changed and the law must change to reflect those new realities,” Mr Bah said.
The government has also approved a Land Adjudication Bill and Land Title Registration Regulations as part of reforms to the country’s land administration.
The proposals would establish a unified National Land Register and provide for the registration of land under both formal and customary tenure.
Mr Bah said an online system would allow people to verify land ownership and help protect them from fraudulent transactions.
Cabinet has separately approved the designation of certain mineral assets to the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation.
The government says the move will strengthen state participation in mineral exploration and development. Parliamentary approval will be required before the assets are transferred to the corporation.
Sierra Leone is also seeking a seat on the United Nations Tourism Executive Council for the 2027-2031 term.
The government says membership would give the country a greater role in international tourism policy and support efforts to create jobs and increase foreign exchange earnings.
An inter-ministerial committee will coordinate the campaign.
The proposed land and pension legislation will now be presented to parliament. The government hopes the land reforms will become law before the end of the year.
