Sierra Leone Launches First Weather Index Insurance For Farmers
By Sorie Sesay
In a major step toward improving agricultural resilience and food security, Activa Insurance Company, with technical support from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and funding from the European Union (EU), has officially launched Sierra Leone’s first Weather Index Insurance product.
The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
The launch, held under the theme “Building Farmers’ Resilience through Innovative Insurance Solutions,” marks a significant milestone in the government’s strategy to mitigate climate-related risks and boost agricultural productivity. The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission.
The new insurance product is designed to protect smallholder farmers from climate risks, particularly drought and excessive rainfall/flooding. Unlike traditional insurance, this index-based insurance uses satellite data to monitor rainfall patterns across targeted regions. When rainfall levels fall outside of pre-defined thresholds, affected farmers automatically receive payouts—eliminating the need for claims filing and speeding up financial relief.
“This marks a milestone in Sierra Leone’s journey toward climate resilience,” said Mr. Festus Awuah, CEO of Activa International Insurance Company. “This product was built from the ground up with farmers’ input at every stage. We are proud to provide an affordable and transparent safety net for our agricultural community.”
According to Arthur Yaskey, Commissioner of the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission, the first phase of the pilot will target key agricultural districts including Tonkoli, Kambia, Port Loko, Pujehun, Moyamba, Bo, and Kenema. The pilot will initially focus on the rice and maize value chains, with premiums available to agricultural aggregators who represent farmers in these districts.
“This initiative complements the government’s Feed Salone program and reflects our commitment to strengthening the insurance sector,” said Commissioner Yaskey. “We will continue to work with partners like Activa to bring more protection to underserved communities.”
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, praised the collaboration and emphasized the importance of the initiative in addressing farmers’ long-standing concerns about climate-related losses.
“Today is a historic day for farmers in Sierra Leone,” the minister stated. “Last year, many farmers were devastated by flooding. This insurance product is our response—a demonstration that we are listening and acting on their concerns. It’s a game-changer for agricultural investment and security.”
Brima Babo, National Coordinator of the National Federation of Farmers of Sierra Leone (NAFFSL), said the launch represents the fulfillment of a long-standing demand from the farming community.
“For years, we have advocated for this. Farmers, especially smallholders, face challenges accessing funds and recovering from losses,” Babo said in an interview with Epic Radio. “Now, with insurance coverage available, we expect increased participation in the agricultural sector. This is a big day for us.”
Activa Insurance acknowledged the critical role of UNCDF and the European Union in bringing the product to life through financial and technical assistance. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote climate adaptation, inclusive finance, and agricultural resilience.
As Sierra Leone continues to face unpredictable weather patterns linked to climate change, the introduction of weather index insurance offers a practical solution to support the livelihoods of rural farmers and strengthen national food security.
