By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, July 23, 2025 — Sierra Leone is playing host to the 17th Steering Committee Meeting of the African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI), a landmark event running from 23rd to 25th July. The meeting brings together strategic leaders and technical experts from the Agricultural Transformation Offices (ATO) of Sierra Leone and Tanzania, along with founding AATI partners—International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the Gates Foundation, and McKinsey & Company.
At the request of the Gates Foundation, the meeting was convened in Freetown to foster deeper engagement with government leaders and reaffirm support for Sierra Leone’s flagship Feed Salone Strategy. The move also spotlighted the Agricultural Transformation Office-Salone (ATO-Salone) as a pivotal delivery mechanism for turning policy into action.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to building an inclusive, evidence-based food system. He praised the AATI collaboration as a catalyst for accelerating agricultural transformation nationwide.
Key priorities for 2025 include:
– Feasibility studies for a dedicated agricultural financial institution
– Strengthening systems for yield data and innovation tracking
– Advancing the rice value chain
– Embedding mutual accountability in Ministry coordination
– Launching a video series spotlighting youth and women-led agribusinesses
Hon. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized that “ATO-Salone is equipping the Ministry with tools and capacity to convert strategy into real results.”
International partners praised Sierra Leone’s locally-led and results-driven approach:
– Ms. Safia Boly (Executive Director, AATI): “This is a model of strong leadership and inclusive growth.”
– Mr. Enock Chikava (Gates Foundation): “Sierra Leone shows how leadership and support unlock meaningful change.”
– Dr. Donal Brown (IFAD): “Smallholder farmers are at the heart of the transformation.”
– Mr. Jonathan Said (AGRA): “We’re moving from intent to impact.”
About AATI
AATI is an Africa-led initiative that partners with governments to create delivery systems tailored to local contexts, promoting gender-responsive, climate-resilient agricultural transformation.