IFC Partners with Pee Cee Holding Ltd to Boost Sierra Leone’s Agricultural Productivity

Freetown, Sierra Leone, April 7, 2025 – IFC today announced an investment in Pee Cee Holding Ltd. (PCH), a leading consumer goods group in Sierra Leone, to support the construction of the country’s first large-scale, local-market-focused farming operation, helping the country become self-sufficient in onion production and boosting the production of other crops.

IFC’s $12 million loan will support Pee Cee Agriculture (PCA), the agribusiness arm of PCH, to develop a fully irrigated and mechanized 500-hectare farming operation to produce more than 40,000 tons of onions annually along with other staple crops including maize and potatoes, reinforcing food security, job creation, and economic empowerment of rural women in the country.

The project will integrate cutting-edge precision irrigation, advanced mechanization, and modern storage facilities, making PCA one of the most efficient and sustainable agricultural operations in Sierra Leone. The state-of-the-art irrigation system will ensure year-round cultivation, including during the dry season, while modern storage facilities will help prevent post-harvest losses and stabilize food supply.

“This investment is a game-changer for Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector,” said Mahesh Nandwani, CEO of PCH. “With IFC’s support, we are proving that Sierra Leone can grow its own high-quality produce at scale, strengthening local supply chains, ensuring food security, skills training and jobs for future generations.”

Over the past four years, PCA was jointly developed by PCH and IFC, which provided advisory services to enhance operations, strengthen management, and help mitigate risks. Through IFC’s agronomical, environmental, and social support, the pilot project demonstrated significant productivity gains, with onion yields increasing tenfold as compared to the average yield in the country along with a good quality level.

“Investing in sustainable agriculture is key to strengthening food security and economic resilience in Sierra Leone” said Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa. “Through our partnership with Pee Cee Holding, we are helping Sierra Leone reduce its reliance on food imports, promoting climate-smart farming, laying the foundation for a more sustainable food system and setting a benchmark for agricultural development across the region.”

IFC is committed to fostering sustainable agriculture, driving economic growth, and ensuring long-term benefits for local farmers and communities in Sierra Leone and in other African countries.