By: Ibrahim J. Conteh
The Ethnic Youth Development Organization (EYDO-SL), a Sierra Leone-based agribusiness startup, has entered into a partnership with FasterCapital, a global venture builder and startup accelerator headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The collaboration, established under Faster Capital’s EquityPilot Program, marks a major step in transforming Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector and boosting opportunities for youth and smallholder farmers.
This collaboration is set to bring big changes to Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector by helping local farmers and young people gain better access to markets and fair prices for their products.
Since its founding in 2017, EYDO-SL has worked to make farming more profitable and sustainable for smallholder farmers. The organization buys, processes, and sells locally grown food such as peppers, tomatoes, groundnuts, rice, and honey. By using cold storage facilities and offering training, EYDO-SL helps farmers improve both the quality and quantity of their produce.
One of the biggest problems farmers face in Sierra Leone is dealing with middlemen who take most of the profits, leaving farmers with little. EYDO-SL is working to solve this by connecting farmers directly with big buyers like schools, hotels, and NGOs, as well as everyday consumers.
Through the partnership, FasterCapital will provide EYDO-SL with access to investors, mentors, and resources to help the organization grow faster. This means more support for farmers, more affordable food for consumers, and more jobs for young people.
Hesham Zreik, CEO of FasterCapital, said that “EYDO-SL is exactly the type of impactful and innovative startup we want to support. Their work will create real opportunities for farmers and youth in Sierra Leone.”
Amos Bockarie Massaquoi, Founder of EYDO-SL, added that “This partnership will help us reach more farmers, reduce food imports, and strengthen food security in Sierra Leone.”
Over the coming year, EYDO-SL plans to expand its farmer network, supply more institutions, and explore opportunities to export Sierra Leone’s agricultural products across the region.
This partnership highlights how international cooperation can bring real change to local communities, empowering farmers and youth while strengthening the country’s economy.