Climate-resilient production
Develop irrigated and rainfed production areas, improve water control and support double-cropping where feasible.
Kambia & Port Loko • 2025–2030 project period
Expanding rice production, processing and market access.
SLERAZ is a public investment in Sierra Leone's rice value chain. It combines irrigation, land development, mechanisation, aggregation, processing, logistics, skills and private-sector participation in one programme.
Approved by the African Development Fund Board on 9 December 2025 • Project Ref. P-SL-AA0-026
Mechanised rice productionNational sector context — Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone agriculture13,000 hacombined land development target
3,000 haclimate-resilient irrigation target
35,000+primary beneficiary population in project analysis
3planned agro-industrial processing hubs
120 kmfarm access tracks targeted for rehabilitation
400+young people targeted for extension-service training
These are planned targets in the project technical annex. They are not presented as completed results.
What SLERAZ is designed to do
Fix several constraints at the same time.
Increasing rice production is only one part of the project. SLERAZ also addresses how paddy is moved, dried, stored, milled, financed and connected to buyers.
Public-facing summary
This website focuses on project objectives, target infrastructure, beneficiaries, financing, safeguards and participation opportunities. Detailed procurement schedules, staff compensation, contractor-specific material and personal resettlement information are not published here.
Mechanisation and inputs
Improve access to certified seed, fertiliser, machinery services, extension support and farmer organisation.
Aggregation and movement
Support drying, cleaning, storage, farm access tracks, jetties and links between production zones and processors.
Modern rice processing
Establish integrated processing hubs to improve milling quality, consistency, packaging and value addition.
Commercial linkages
Connect farmers, aggregators, processors, off-takers, finance providers and private operators.
How the system connects
A field-to-market model.
The design connects four stages that are often handled separately.
SLERAZ value chain
Each stage is intended to reduce a specific bottleneck and make the next stage more commercially viable.
1. ProduceLand, irrigation, seed, mechanisation, extension.
2. AggregateDrying, cleaning, storage, bulking and logistics.
3. ProcessModern milling, grading, packaging and by-product use.
4. MarketOff-take, distribution, finance and private-sector participation.
Sierra Leone agriculture
The project is built around local production and processing.
The photographs below are from Sierra Leone. They show the types of activities SLERAZ is designed to strengthen: mechanised production, milling and farmer participation. They are sector-context images and are not presented as completed SLERAZ works.
Rice processing in KambiaLocal milling and handling • WFP image, Sierra Leone
Mechanisation servicesSierra Leone agribusiness context
Smallholder productionRice farmer in Sierra Leone • USAID / public domain
Where the project works
Kambia and Port Loko.
The project targets major rice-growing areas in the north-west of Sierra Leone. Production, aggregation, transport and processing investments are intended to work as a connected corridor.
K
Kambia District
Planned production, aggregation and agro-processing investments include activity around Kychum and Mambolo, with links to surrounding farming communities.
PL
Port Loko District
Planned rice production and processing infrastructure is designed to connect inland and riverine production areas to aggregation and market channels.
The map is taken from the project technical annex and is intended as a public orientation graphic.
Expected change
Targets are tied to measurable production and market outcomes.
The project model assumes that better water management, improved seed, mechanisation, agronomic practices and capacity support can lift average rice yields toward 4 tonnes per hectare in supported production systems.
1.2–2 t/hacurrent yield range used in the project financial analysis
4 t/haproject model target under improved practices
8jetties targeted for rehabilitation or construction in the cost plan
3aggregation / transformation centre platforms planned
Yield figures are modelling assumptions and targets, not guaranteed outcomes.
Water controlHigh
MechanisationHigh
AggregationHigh
ProcessingHigh
Market linksHigh
This graphic shows the relative emphasis of the project design, not measured completion percentages.
Financing
Government of Sierra Leone
African Development Fund / Bank Group
OPEC Fund for International Development
Financing supports the full value chain.
The current technical annex summarises an overall programme envelope of approximately US$74.79 million. Financing is split between the OPEC Fund loan and African Development Fund grant resources.
Government of Sierra LeoneAfrican Development Fund / Bank GroupOPEC Fund for International DevelopmentTotal programme envelopeUS$74.79m
approx. public summaryFinancing figures are taken from the project's summarised cost table. Detailed procurement budgets are not reproduced on this public site.
Questions people may have
Key points in plain language.
Is SLERAZ only about increasing rice production?
No. It covers production, water management, seed and inputs, mechanisation, aggregation, storage, transport, processing, market development, private-sector participation, skills and safeguards.
Who is expected to benefit?
The project analysis identifies roughly 35,000 smallholder farmers and SME operators as the primary target population, with specific attention to women and young people.
Will private companies be involved?
Yes. The project design includes private-sector roles in commercial production, mechanisation services, seed and inputs, processing, finance, aggregation, off-take and operation of agro-industrial infrastructure.
How are environmental and social issues handled?
Environmental and social instruments were prepared and publicly disclosed, including environmental and social impact assessments, a resettlement action plan, pest management plan, stakeholder engagement plan and grievance redress mechanism.
Where can I ask about participation or investment?
Email info@sleraz.com or call +232 78 649 471. The project team can direct enquiries to the appropriate technical or investment channel.
Contact
Project enquiries, partnerships and public information.
Use the project contact details for general information, private-sector interest, partnership enquiries and public-information requests.
Emailinfo@sleraz.com
Phone+232 78 649 471
Government leadMinistry of Agriculture and Food Security, Republic of Sierra Leone