African Development Fund Approves $20 Million Grant for Job Creation in Sierra Leone

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund, the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group, has approved a $19.95 million grant to support a new initiative aimed at providing livelihoods for women and youth in Sierra Leone. The project, titled “Job Creation for Youth and Women in Climate Smart Agriculture Value Chains and Waste Management,” targets sectors where women and youth are particularly active, such as cassava farming and fisheries.

The grant is part of the Transition Support Facility’s Pillar 1, which addresses the root causes of fragility and insecurity in Sierra Leone. The Global Center on Adaptation will also contribute $159,600 for technical assistance to develop adaptation strategies, including waste management policies.

1. Enhance Entrepreneurial Skills: The project will improve entrepreneurial skills in climate-smart agriculture and waste management value chains, focusing on sectors where women and youth are heavily involved.
2. Improve Access to Funding: It aims to improve access to funding for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), facilitating economic empowerment for women and youth.
3. Expand Market Access: The initiative will expand market access for youth and women-led MSMEs, promoting sustainable business growth.
4. Build Institutional Capacity: The project will strengthen institutional capacity to improve the business environment and service delivery for entrepreneurs.

• Women and Youth: 70% of the project’s beneficiaries will be women, promoting gender equality and economic empowerment.
• Cassava and Fisheries Value Chains: The project will enhance entrepreneurial and digital skills for 2,500 individuals, 70% of whom will be women.
• Waste Management: Training will be provided for 1,000 individuals in waste management value chains, including 250 women.

• Funding Access: Improve funding access for 700 MSMEs.
• Entrepreneurial Skills: Strengthen entrepreneurial and digital skills for 2,500 individuals.
• Waste Management Training: Train 1,000 individuals in waste management value chains.
• Business Linkages: Facilitate business linkages between 700 MSMEs and large businesses.
• Digital Marketplace: Create a digital marketplace benefiting 5,000 smallholder farmers and 4,850 value chain MSMEs.
• Job Creation: Aim to create 9,200 jobs.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Strengthen climate change adaptation capacity for 3,500 youth and women.
• Revenue Increase: Increase MSME revenues by at least 10%.

This initiative aligns with Sierra Leone’s BIG FIVE Agenda and medium-term National Development Plan (2024-2030), which targets the creation of 500,000 new youth jobs by 2030. It also supports the African Development Bank’s Ten-year Strategy (2024-2033) and its Country Strategy Paper (2020-2024) for Sierra Leone.

The “Job Creation for Youth and Women in Climate Smart Agriculture Value Chains and Waste Management” project represents a significant step towards sustainable development and economic empowerment in Sierra Leone. By focusing on sectors where women and youth are most active, the initiative aims to foster entrepreneurial skills, improve access to funding, and create numerous job opportunities, ultimately contributing to the nation’s long-term stability and growth.