𝐈𝐅𝐂 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 W𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠

In a major step toward advancing food security and agricultural self-sufficiency in Sierra Leone, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, yesterday signed a landmark investment agreement with Pee Cee Holding Ltd (PCH), one of Sierra Leone’s leading consumer goods and agribusiness companies.

The signing ceremony, held at the Pee Cee Agriculture Farm in Lokomasama Chiefdom, Port Loko, marked the official launch of Sierra Leone’s first large-scale, irrigated, and mechanized farming project aimed at dramatically reducing onion imports while expanding production of key staple crops such as maize and potatoes.

The IFC is committing a US$12 million loan to support the agribusiness arm of Pee Cee Agriculture – in developing a 500-hectare commercial farm with advanced precision irrigation systems, modern mechanization, and state-of-the-art storage facilities.

The farm is expected to produce over 40,000 tons of onions annually, along with significant yields of maize and other crops, thereby laying the foundation for a more climate-resilient and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystem in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Deputy CEO of Pee Cee Holding, Ms. Ekta Nandwani, expressed her gratitude to the IFC and other stakeholders, highlighting her father and CEO, Mr Mahesh Nandwani’s commitment to agriculture.

“From importing consumer goods to cultivating our own produce, our journey has been extraordinary,” she said. “This farm is not just an investment in agriculture; it is an investment in Sierra Leone’s future. Our aim is to reduce reliance on imported onions, support the poultry sector through maize production, and create a sustainable value chain that empowers local communities – especially rural women.”

Ms. Nandwani also revealed that Pee Cee Agriculture has benefited from IFC’s advisory services over the past four years, which have helped the farm achieve a tenfold increase in onion yields during pilot phases.

IFC Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, Madam Dahlia Khalifa, commended the partnership, calling it a model for sustainable agricultural development in Africa.

“This is more than a farm,” Khalifa said during her visit. “It is a beacon of innovation, resilience, and impact. With the support of the government, landowners, and local communities, this project has the potential to eliminate Sierra Leone’s dependency on onion imports and even become an export hub in the future.”

She emphasized the IFC’s long-term commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture, empowering the private sector, and promoting climate-smart practices.

The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Henry Musa Kpaka, praised Pee Cee Holding for aligning its work with the national “Feed Salone” strategy.

“This is my sixth visit to the farm, and each time I come, there’s something new and exciting. From 10 hectares to now hundreds, Pee Cee Holding is showing what’s possible when private sector investment meets government policy and community engagement,” he said.

The Minister recalled an onion shortage crisis in the country two years ago, which led him to visit Port Loko. He was encouraged when he discovered that the country’s largest importer of onions was also working to become its largest producer.

“Today, thanks to this partnership and technical support from IFC… we’re already seeing onions produced locally at a price even cheaper than imported ones. That is the kind of transformation Sierra Leone needs,” he added.

Through Pee Cee Holding’s extensive distribution network – which includes storage and retail centers across Sierra Leone and outlets in Liberia and Guinea – the farm is strategically positioned to serve both local and regional markets. The company’s vertically integrated system, from farm to fork, is expected to streamline logistics, reduce post-harvest losses, and maintain stable food prices.

Pee Cee Agriculture is also working closely with Njala University and the Ministry of Agriculture to support research, knowledge transfer, and capacity building. The company plans to connect smallholder farmers through training, technical support, and contract farming models, further reinforcing national food sovereignty goals.

The first phase of an on-site processing facility is expected to be completed before the next harvest season. Plans include expanding crop production, exploring export opportunities, and replicating the successful model across other regions in Sierra Leone and West Africa.

With the IFC’s support, Pee Cee Holding is not only addressing urgent food security needs but also laying the groundwork for Sierra Leone to become a regional leader in agribusiness.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. In FY2024, IFC committed a record US$56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries.

Pee Cee Holding Ltd is a diversified conglomerate that grew from Pee Cee & Sons, Sierra Leone’s largest distributor of consumer products. With a strong regional presence and subsidiaries in manufacturing, retail, and agribusiness, PCH is committed to building sustainable enterprises that drive economic growth across West Africa