By Tamba Tengbeh
Sierra Leone’s Cabinet is advancing major reforms through the New Cocoa Policy as part of broader efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity, export competitiveness, and economic growth. The reform aligns with the Government’s commitment to modernizing the agricultural sector, improving domestic revenue mobilization, and positioning Sierra Leone to meet evolving international market standards.
The Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, and Trade have been mandated by Cabinet to further engage cocoa producers and exporters on the new cocoa trade framework. Structured consultations have commenced in Freetown and across key cocoa-producing districts in the provinces. Stakeholders have demonstrated receptiveness and cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment to improving governance, transparency, and long-term sector performance.
Sierra Leone’s cocoa is internationally recognized for its premium quality and is ranked among the top fine-flavor cocoa producers globally, highly regarded in the European market for its aroma, bean quality, and potential for traceability. This strong reputation has been reinforced by sustained marketing and regulatory efforts from the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Company (SLPMC), which have contributed to increased export volumes over the years compared to earlier periods of limited coordination and weaker market access. The new policy strategically positions the cocoa sector to comply with evolving global requirements, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), while strengthening traceability systems, quality control, and value chain governance.
The policy seeks to enhance how cocoa, Sierra Leone’s most important agricultural export commodity, contributes to national development. Cocoa supports thousands of rural households, generates significant foreign exchange earnings, and plays a pivotal role in the country’s agricultural economy. The reform aims to ensure that sector gains are more effectively captured, reinvested, and leveraged to improve productivity, farmer incomes, and long-term competitiveness.
The new policy will operate through collaborative engagement with all sector players to address operational challenges, strengthen institutional performance, and promote sustainable growth. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has emphasized that the Government remains open to constructive dialogue with producers and exporters to ensure a balanced, win–win outcome that safeguards national interests while sustaining private sector confidence.
Implementation will be undertaken in a careful, phased manner, supported by structured stakeholder consultations to ensure a smooth transition and maintain investor and market confidence. The New Cocoa Policy, therefore, represents a strategic reform agenda designed to consolidate Sierra Leone’s global reputation for high-quality cocoa while enhancing economic returns and sector resilience.
