In Focus: Some resources like initiatives, policies & funding for women entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone
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Known as “Lion Mountains” for the dramatic hills that embrace its coastline, Sierra Leone is a country rich in natural beauty and potential, and its women are at the heart of its economic engine. Women make up nearly 70% of the nation’s agricultural labor force and are central to food production and natural resource management. Yet, despite their crucial contributions, they face persistent inequalities when it comes to land ownership, access to credit, and control over economic resources.
Microbusiness to Marketplace: How Women are Scaling Up in Sierra Leone
Entrepreneurship represents a powerful pathway for Sierra Leonean women to transform their livelihoods, break the cycle of poverty, and actively shape the country’s economic future. Today, a range of initiatives is working to bridge the gap. Financial inclusion programmes, supported by global partners like the World Bank and the Joint SDG Fund, provide access to microcredit, savings schemes & financial literacy training too. Capacity-building projects – such as the Solar Harnessed Entrepreneurs (SHE) initiative – use renewable energy solutions to help women scale their businesses. Organizations like the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative are equipping women with entrepreneurial skills, mentorship & networks to thrive in competitive markets.
Despite these strides, challenges remain – from gender-biased policies to limited access to formal markets and training. But Sierra Leone’s women are resilient, and with growing support, they are not just sustaining families but also driving inclusive growth, innovation & a more equitable future for their country.
Let us now pay some attention to – what are the resources available? Noted here are some initiatives, policies & funding for women entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone.
- The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women
The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women partnered with the African Foundation for Development – Sierra Leone (AFFORD-SL) in 2012 – to establish the country’s first national network of women entrepreneurs.
The Organisation of Women’s Networks for Entrepreneurs (OWNERS) provides vital support for women in business in Sierra Leone. Thanks to the generous support of the Pratt Foundation, GE and the COMO Foundation, this pioneering project provided women entrepreneurs – with training in key business skills, peer support and access to markets, networks and capital.
https://cherieblairfoundation.org/what-we-do/projects/sierraleone-women-entrepreneurs/
- Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi)
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and funded by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) of the World Bank, launched the EWASME (Empowering West African Women Small & Medium Enterprises) programme. This initiative, spanning across Senegal, Guinea, Niger, and Sierra Leone – aims to empower over 1000 women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises in the rice value chain.
The objectives are as follows:
· Empower women and strengthen local rice value chains to reduce poverty and enhance food security in Guinea, Niger, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
· Implement a comprehensive initiative combining training, access to finance, and business linkages to strengthen the post-production capacity of at least 1000 women-owned or led enterprises in the local rice value chains.
· Elevate the economic status of women engaged in agriculture and rural enterprises over a 5-year timeframe (2022-2027).
· Conduct community outreach and dialogues to address norms limiting women’s engagement, and share identified policy and customary barriers with policymakers to garner broad support for change.
· Strengthen financial institutions to better serve Women-Led Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs) and Very Small Enterprises (WSVEs). This includes designing and marketing financial products tailored to their needs and providing staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to offer enhanced support to female clients and entrepreneurs.
· Overcome regulatory and traditional barriers hindering the development of women-owned businesses in rice value chains through community outreach, policy advocacy, and financial institution capacity-building. Create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs by addressing norms and practices impeding their engagement in entrepreneurial activities.
· Boost market access for Women-Led Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs) and Very Small Enterprises (WSVEs) through strategic business linkages, partnerships, and capacity development initiatives.
· Tackle gender-specific obstacles faced by women in trade, limiting their participation and perpetuating economic disparities.
· Recognize and leverage the significant contributions of women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to rice production, labor inputs, distribution, and sales.
· Acknowledge the pivotal role of women in West Africa’s food security, economic development, and poverty reduction by supporting their active participation in the highly demanded and traded staple – rice.
Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) supports women-led businesses through digital solutions, improved access to finance from financial intermediaries, and training in business management for cooperatives.
https://www.undp.org/africa/waca/events/unveiling-ewasme-project-women-led-prosperity-west-africa
- INVEST SALONE
Through its PROSPER Salone grant scheme, Invest Salone works with London-based impact investing group Truestone and its portfolio company, A Call to Business (ACTB) Savings and Loans – to empower women entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone by providing financial products tailored to their needs.
To elaborate, PROSPER Salone is a grant-matching facility, financed by the UK Government. They support investment in Sierra Leone by funding activities, aimed at reducing the risks of market entry – such as scoping trips, feasibility studies, pipeline development, due diligence and business viability.
https://investsalone.com/prosper-salone/
- ITC SheTrades Initiative
This is all about expanding women’s opportunities in global trade. You can register here and join their global platform for women in trade – to learn, connect and do business.
For women in business, you can access e-learning courses and past webinar recordings and learn what opportunities you can apply for to level up your business game and take it global.
- EWASME
In April 2024, UNDP launched EWASME – to boost women-led rice businesses.
UNDP Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Government of Sierra Leone, and with funding support from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) – launched the Empowering West African Women Small & Medium Enterprises (EWASME) programme.
EWASME aims to empower women-led businesses operating within Sierra Leone’s rice value chain – by providing comprehensive support in various areas such as access to finance, capacity-building, market linkages, and mentorship opportunities.
https://www.undp.org/sierra-leone/news/undp-launches-ewasme-boost-women-led-rice-businesses
- Sierra Leone Agri-Business Initiative (SABI)
In Sierra Leone, agriculture constitutes a significant fragment of the economy. Two-thirds of the population of Sierra Leone are involved in subsistence agriculture, mainly because the country lacks viable agricultural value chain and entrepreneurial activity.
To revitalize the country’s agricultural sector, the government of Sierra Leone with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Sierra Leone Agri-Business Initiative (SABI) – to spearhead efforts to help equip young people, especially women, to transform the agricultural sector and enhance economic growth.
https://africa.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2017/06/women-in-agribusiness-in-sierra-leone
- Solar Harnessed Entrepreneurs (SHE) Initiative
It was evident in April 2025, that through the Solar Harnessed Entrepreneurs (SHE) initiative in Sierra Leone, more than 6,000 women in 23 communities now have access to solar-powered appliances, training, finance, and market connections – giving them the tools to grow thriving businesses and take charge of their economic futures.
SHE is about more than energy access – it’s about closing the gender gap. Thus, challenging norms, and creating real opportunities for women to lead. GEAPP supports this work, with funding from The Rockefeller Foundation. Standing with these women and the communities is admirable, because when women rise, entire communities thrive!!
Learn more about SHE: https://bit.ly/4iO07uy
- The Jamil & Nyanga Jaward (JNJ) Foundation
The JNJ Foundation is aligning its efforts with the Government – to foster an environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive. The initiative targets the enhancement of business knowledge and skills for widows and their children, providing innovative financing solutions tailored to their needs. Meaning, this includes support for business start-ups and expansions, as well as inputs for value addition, creating linkages to credit services for small and medium-sized enterprises led by widows.
The overarching goal is – to stimulate a comprehensive strategy that not only alleviates the immediate financial constraints but also ensures long-term, inclusive economic growth led by a robust Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Through this programme, the foundation seeks to empower women with the tools and resources needed to elevate their businesses and, by extension, their communities.
https://www.jnjf.org/projects-1-1/business-development-services-initiative
- Sierra Leone Youth and Women Empowerment project
The Sierra Leone Youth and Women Empowerment project comes under technical and vocational education & training. This project was designed – to address rising irregular youth migration out of Sierra Leone. It took a targeted skills and capacity development approach, to equip young women and men with the skills required – to flourish without embarking on migratory pathways abroad.
The initiative targeted youth, understanding that young people form the largest demographic in Sierra Leone, including Freetown. In partnership with government bodies and the private sector – the project focused on equipping youth with the skills required on their path to adulthood and active citizenship.
Led by the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and it was financed by the Government of Japan.
What was the objective? This project was designed with youth and women in mind, in order to dissuade young Sierra Leoneans from irregular migration. In particular, the objective set out by this project was to promote young people and women’s empowerment – by cultivating vocational training and entrepreneurship skills and raising awareness on irregular migration. Being out of school, unemployed and residing in informal settlements in areas of intervention were some of the criteria used to identify young people, who were particularly at risk of migrating.
https://african-cities-database.org/urc-record-index/Sierra-Leone-youth-TVET
- Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone
In May 2025, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone posted an invitation to all young Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs. It stated that The African Union Commission invited all to apply for the AU Youth Start-Up Programme at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, happening from September 4-10 in Algiers, Algeria.
It pointed out that if your start-up focuses on health, agriculture, education, or digital inclusion, this is your chance to showcase your innovative solutions to investors and business leaders from across the continent.
They were selecting 75 start-ups to participate in a structured program that includes hands-on training, market exposure, and networking opportunities.
- Sierra Leone’s Gender Reforms: Advancing Female Entrepreneurship & Finance
Sierra Leone has undertaken groundbreaking reforms – to advance female entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, supported by global institutions and grassroots activism. By combining policy changes, financial access, and gender equality laws, the country is setting a powerful precedent for economic empowerment and sustainable development.
And Sierra Leone has embarked on a transformative journey – to empower female entrepreneurs and expand financial inclusion, supported by global institutions such as the World Bank, UNDP, ILO, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These efforts have resulted in key legislative and policy changes, including the Directives on Provision of Financial Services on a Non-Discriminatory Basis (2021), the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act (2022), the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2022–2026 and the Employment Act (2023).
These reforms aim to remove long-standing financial & economic barriers that have hindered women’s participation in business and leadership. It is encouraging to see that through a combination of political determination, international support & grassroots advocacy, Sierra Leone is reshaping its legal and financial landscape – to ensure women gain equal access to credit, employment, and decision-making positions.
- The ITC READY Salone Project
Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the ‘Sierra Leone: Empowering Youth through Digital Technologies’ project (referred to as the READY Salone project) – is implemented by the International Trade Centre in close collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone through the Youth Affairs (MoYA), Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) from 2024 to 2028.
The ITC READY Salone project aims to unlock economic opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth and youth-led businesses in the digital economy.
The project will equip youth and youth-led startups – with the skills and tools to seize economic opportunities in the digital economy. Youth aged 15 – 35, including young women as well as persons with disabilities, are key targets of READY Salone.
Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the ‘Sierra Leone: Empowering Youth through Digital Technologies’ project (referred to as the READY Salone project) is implemented by the International Trade Centre from 2024 to 2028.
Sierra Leone’s population is young, with over 77% under 25 years old. Despite this, youth unemployment and limited access to digital knowledge, tools and infrastructure prevent young Sierra Leones from participating in the digital economy.
READY Salone aims to contribute to Sierra Leone’s ‘Big Five Game Changers’, which is part of its Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030.
- WomenPower2030 Seed Grant 2025
WomenPower2030 Seed Grant 2025 is a grant opportunity for Women in Nigeria, Sierra Leone. Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Sierra Leone can apply for the 2025 WomenPower2030 Seed Grant – to access funding, mentorship & business support. The call was posted on June 20, 2025.
In a major boost for women-led businesses in Africa, the WomenPower2030 Seed Grant 2025 is now officially open for applications. Designed to support innovative, impact-driven female entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Sierra Leone – this initiative aims to empower women with the funding and support needed to scale their ventures and amplify their societal impact.
Organized under the umbrella of the WomenPower2030 initiative, the seed grant offers not only financial support but also access to a broader network of resources, including mentorship, business development training, and visibility opportunities.
Who can apply?
The call targets women entrepreneurs who are leading startups or early-stage businesses that are addressing local challenges through innovative, scalable solutions. Eligible businesses must be: Female-founded or led; Based in Nigeria or Sierra Leone or Focused on sectors with high potential for social and economic impact, such as -education, healthcare, renewable energy, agribusiness & technology.
Applicants should demonstrate a clear vision for growth, a sustainable business model, and a commitment to gender equality and community impact.
What are the offerings? Selected entrepreneurs will receive a seed grant to fund their businesses, alongside non-financial support such as:
– Capacity-building workshops
– Personalized mentorship
– Access to investor and stakeholder networks
– Publicity to boost brand visibility
This holistic approach ensures that recipients are well-equipped to overcome structural barriers and drive long-term success.
Read more about the WomenPower2030 project here: https://www.wecf.org/womenpower-2030/
https://smartpreneur.ng/grant-opportunity-for-women-in-nigeria-sierra-leone/
- Initiatives by Bank of Sierra Leone & UN Women
Some critical initiatives by Bank of Sierra Leone & UN Women was announced in April 2025.
Bank of Sierra Leone reiterated its commitment to financial inclusion. Its recent achievements include the rollout of mobile and agent banking, the promotion of micro-finance savings groups, and partnerships aimed at developing human capital, particularly for women and rural communities.
Presenting the catalytic financing initiative, UN Women had a strategic plan that included – identifying and supporting women and youth entrepreneurs, enhancing their financial and managerial capacity, and collaborating with credit institutions to provide gender-responsive financial tools.
The initiative aims to support approximately 5,000 businesses across Sierra Leone, with a 5% allocation specifically for women-led ventures. It also sought to create job opportunities by 2028, contributing to poverty reduction, food security, and sustainable human capital development.
https://sierraloaded.sl/news/new-financial-opportunities-women-youth-entre/
- Ellevate
In Sierra Leone, Ellevate by Ecobank, a Pan-African initiative designed to support women-owned and women-focused businesses – has become a catalyst for such transformation. And, since its introduction, Ellevate has played a pivotal role in providing access to finance, training, visibility, and business support to women entrepreneurs across various sectors
It is pertinent, that in today’s dynamic economic environment, inclusive financial systems are no longer optional, they are essential.
Ecobank Sierra Leone, through its Ellevate programme, is leading the charge in empowering women-owned and women-led businesses – offering both financial and non-financial solutions that directly impact economic growth and national development.
Ellevate is specially designed to bridge the financing gap for women in business. By providing tailored loan products, flexible repayment options, and competitive interest rates, Ecobank ensures that female entrepreneurs can access the capital they need to grow their businesses. From micro-enterprises to formal SMEs, many women have already benefitted from increased liquidity to expand operations, invest in technology, and scale sustainably.
It goes beyond banking – by building capacity and confidence.
Ellevate goes beyond traditional banking services. Through capacity-building workshops, business training, mentorship, and access to networking opportunities, women entrepreneurs are equipped with the tools & knowledge – to make informed decisions and run resilient businesses. These non-financial offerings help to address systemic barriers – such as limited business education and access to professional networks.
https://owlpress-sl.com/enhanced-ellevate-programme-ecobank-economic-impact-supplemented/
- The Solar Harnessed Entrepreneurs (SHE) initiative
The Solar Harnessed Entrepreneurs (SHE) initiative is a 32-month project funded by the Rockefeller Foundation through the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and implemented by CARE Sierra Leone and local partners. It aims to demonstrate a model for strengthening women’s access to and productive use of clean energy, by supporting over 7,000 businesswomen in solar mini-grid connected communities to grow their microenterprises through productive use of energy (PUE) equipment investments.
The SHE initiative builds on energy access opportunities and barriers in Sierra Leone. Until recently, only 5% of the country’s rural population had access to electricity (World Bank, 2020). By 2030, the Government of Sierra Leone aims to ensure that 92% of the population has access to energy. In support, the Renewable Rural Energy Project (RREP) – funded by FCDO and implemented by UNOPS and the Ministry of Energy between 2016 and 2022 – supported three operators to establish 97 community solar mini-grid systems across the country. While RREP greatly increased access to energy, an evaluation found micro-entrepreneurs are not any more likely to use electricity in their businesses, and female-headed households are less connected to mini-grids than male-headed households (IGC, 2022). These dynamics reduce the poverty reduction potential of energy access, while also harming the business sustainability of mini-grid operations.
The SHE project aims to demonstrate a model for solving productive use of energy barriers, especially among women entrepreneurs.
https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SHE-Outcome-Harvesting-brief_Oct2023.pdf
- Sierra Leone Rising
At Sierra Leone Rising, the mission is – to empower communities across Sierra Leone by fostering education, advancing public health, promoting financial literacy, supporting entrepreneurship & championing female empowerment. Through access to quality education, safe water and sanitation, economic opportunities & resources for women and girls, they aim to build a resilient, self-sustaining future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a brighter tomorrow.
Through scholarships, resources, and community support – they are dedicated to empowering young minds and expanding access to quality education in Sierra Leone. By fostering a love for learning and providing the tools needed to succeed, they aim to inspire a new generation of leaders, who will drive positive change and build a brighter future for all.
By fostering opportunities for leadership, financial independence, and personal growth, they aim to break down barriers and promote gender equality. It is noteworthy that their programmes are designed – to help women in Sierra Leone gain the confidence and resources they need to shape their futures and positively impact their communities.
Fueling dreams and brighter futures, this entrepreneurship initiative in Sierra Leone equips aspiring entrepreneurs with skills, resources & mentorship to build successful businesses. By fostering self-reliance and local innovation, they empower individuals to create jobs and drive economic growth.
Sierra Leone Rising is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization formerly known as the Kposowa Foundation. This non-profit was formed in 2006 to support education, and the rebuilding of Bumpe High School after the 11-year Blood Diamond war. Now the organization has expanded its mission – to include female empowerment and public health in the Bumpe Chiefdom of 44,000 people with the goal to expand the work throughout the country.
Shree Lahiri
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
