By Ibrahim J. Conteh
In a move set to transform Sierra Leone’s agricultural landscape, the Ethnic Youth Development Organization (EYDO-SL) has entered into a strategic partnership with FasterCapital, a global startup accelerator based in Dubai. The partnership, formed under FasterCapital’s EquityPilot Program, aims to strengthen the country’s agribusiness sector and create more opportunities for young people and local farmers.
EYDO-SL, a local startup founded in 2017, is focused on empowering youth and smallholder farmers through fair-trade practices and better access to markets. The organization buys, processes, and markets both fresh produce, such as pepper, tomato, and cabbage, and dry goods like rice, groundnuts, palm oil, and honey.
According to Amos Bockarie Massaquoi, Founder and Managing Director of EYDO-SL, the partnership with FasterCapital marks a major milestone for the organization.
“This collaboration will accelerate our goal to empower Sierra Leone’s youth and farmers by creating fair, efficient agricultural markets,” Massaquoi said. “Together, we hope to improve food security, reduce import dependency, and promote sustainable economic growth.”
Through the EquityPilot Program, EYDO-SL will gain access to FasterCapital’s network of investors, mentors, and global partners. Hesham Zreik, CEO of FasterCapital, commended EYDO-SL for its innovative approach and commitment to community transformation.
“EYDO-SL exemplifies the kind of startup we aim to support, one that combines entrepreneurship with social impact,” Zreik noted.
The partnership will help EYDO-SL expand its storage and logistics capacity, improve product distribution, and reach more institutional clients such as schools, hotels, and NGOs that currently rely heavily on imported food supplies.
Over the next year, EYDO-SL plans to broaden its farmer network, increase market presence in major cities, and explore regional export opportunities. The organization hopes to become Sierra Leone’s leading supplier of locally grown, high-quality agricultural products.
This partnership demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can drive growth, empower communities, and boost Sierra Leone’s agricultural value chain.
For further details, the full press release is attached for readers’ attention.