10 Takeaways from the Evaluation of the West African Competitiveness Program in Sierra Leone

The evaluation results of the West Africa Competitiveness Programme in Sierra Leone provide insights into the extent to which the project has supported national institutions and intermediary organizations in improving their service delivery to the private sector and creating an enabling business environment. The recent evaluation has significant implications for local economic developers, offering opportunities to enhance the country's economic growth and competitiveness. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Focus on Agricultural Value Chains: WACOMP Sierra Leone prioritizes the development of three key agricultural value chains of cocoa and cassava. This focus provides local economic developers with clear targets for investment and support, potentially leading to increased productivity and economic diversification beyond the mining sector.

2. Enhanced Competitiveness and Market Access: The programme aims to improve the competitiveness of Sierra Leonean products in regional and international markets. This presents an opportunity for local economic developers to work on upgrading production processes, quality standards, and market linkages, potentially opening up new export opportunities.

3. Job Creation and Economic Diversification: WACOMP is expected to have positive effects on job creation and food sufficiency in Sierra Leone. Local economic developers can leverage this initiative to support employment generation, particularly in rural areas where over 61% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming.

4. Quality Infrastructure Development: The programme focuses on developing quality infrastructure services. This includes efforts to establish a culture of quality in the country, which can benefit local businesses across various sectors. Economic developers can support this by facilitating access to quality-related training and certification processes.

5. Capacity Building and Skills Development: WACOMP provides training and capacity building in areas such as ISO 9001 standards, quality management, and food safety. Local economic developers can utilize these resources to upskill the local workforce and improve the overall competitiveness of local businesses.

6. Support for SMEs: The programme aims to improve the performance and growth of selected priority sectors and related services, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This aligns well with local economic development goals of fostering a vibrant SME sector.

7. Regional Integration: WACOMP seeks to enhance Sierra Leone's integration into regional and international trading systems, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Local economic developers can use this as an opportunity to prepare local businesses for expanded market access and increased competition.

8. Institutional Strengthening: The programme works closely with government institutions, universities, and the private sector. This collaborative approach can help local economic developers build stronger partnerships and more effective support systems for local businesses.

9. Technology and Innovation: WACOMP emphasizes the use of technology and other available tools to enhance competitiveness. Local economic developers can leverage this focus to promote technological adoption and innovation among local businesses.

10. Gender Equality: The programme recognizes the importance of ensuring equal access for both female and male entrepreneurs. Local economic developers should incorporate this gender-inclusive approach in their strategies to ensure balanced economic growth.

In conclusion, WACOMP Sierra Leone provides a framework for local economic developers to align their efforts with national and regional economic priorities. By focusing on key value chains, quality improvement, skills development, and market access, the programme offers multiple entry points for local initiatives that can contribute to Sierra Leone's overall economic competitiveness and growth.