By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has commended Pee Cee Holdings Ltd on the historic signing of a $12 million loan facility with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support the company’s large-scale onion farming project in Lokomasama, Port Loko District on April 7, 2025.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, in an X post, praised the investment as a major stride toward food self-sufficiency and a key milestone in President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship Feed Salone initiative.
“I want to congratulate Pee Cee Holdings Ltd for this historic signing with the IFC at its onion farm in Lokomasama,” Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said. “This 500-hectare project will significantly reduce our onion imports and position Sierra Leone to become a net exporter to neighboring countries. Bravo to CEO Mahesh Nandwani for growing local and creating jobs for hundreds of Sierra Leoneans. I am happy to be part of this journey.”
The agreement between the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Pee Cee Holding Ltd marks a new chapter in Sierra Leone’s agricultural development. Under the terms, IFC will provide $12 million in financing to Pee Cee Agriculture, the agribusiness arm of PCH, for the establishment of a modern, irrigated and mechanized farm spanning 500 hectares.
The project is the country’s first of its kind and is expected to produce more than 40,000 tons of onions annually, in addition to maize and other key food crops. The initiative aims to build a climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem that fosters job creation, economic empowerment and reduced reliance on food imports.
Madam Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, described the investment as a transformative example of sustainable agriculture.
“This is more than a farm; it is a beacon of innovation, resilience and impact,” she noted. “With support from the Government, landowners and local communities, this project could not only end Sierra Leone’s dependence on onion imports but also make the country a regional export hub.”
Representing the company’s CEO, Deputy CEO Ms. Ekta Nandwani expressed her gratitude for IFC’s support and confidence in Pee Cee’s vision.
“From importing goods to cultivating our own food, our journey has been one of growth and transformation,” she said. “This farm represents our commitment to Sierra Leone’s future. It will empower rural women, support the poultry industry through locally grown maize and help build a resilient value chain.”
Ms. Nandwani also highlighted the pivotal role of IFC’s advisory services, which over the last four years helped Pee Cee increase onion yields tenfold during pilot phases of the project.
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Henry Musa Kpaka, also commended the initiative, linking it directly to the Government’s Feed Salone drive. He recalled an onion crisis just two years ago and praised Pee Cee for transitioning from the country’s largest onion importer to one of its leading producers.
“Thanks to this strategic partnership and the technical support from IFC, we now have locally grown onions sold at lower prices than imported ones,” the Minister said. “This is the kind of transformation our nation needs.”
Pee Cee’s vertically integrated model, which includes farming, storage, distribution and retail extends beyond Sierra Leone to Liberia and Guinea. This structure is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, stabilize prices and ensure consistent food availability.
In partnership with Njala University and the Ministry of Agriculture, the company is also investing in research and capacity-building to modernize farming techniques and train a new generation of agricultural professionals. Plans for contract farming schemes aim to incorporate smallholder farmers and provide them with technical support to increase yields and incomes.
The first phase of an on-site processing facility is slated for completion ahead of the next harvest season. Long-term goals include expanding to new crop varieties, entering export markets and replicating the successful model across other parts of Sierra Leone and West Africa.
This landmark partnership between IFC and Pee Cee Holding Ltd signals a new era in Sierra Leone’s agricultural landscape, aligning public and private efforts to drive food security, economic resilience and national development.
