President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone recently conducted a significant working visit to Nigeria, focusing on strengthening agricultural partnerships and advancing food security in Africa. During his stay, President Bio engaged in high-level discussions with key global agricultural and financial experts, emphasizing the need for Africa to move beyond mere discussions and take concrete steps toward agricultural reintegration and regional economic integration.

President Bio's visit included a high-level panel discussion at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), with whom the Africa Projects Development Centre (APDC) has a strong partnership, having implemented transformational agricultural programs that have positively impacted youths across the continent. During the panel, President Bio highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in agriculture, advocating for mutual respect and shared commitment among African nations. He emphasized the need for Africa to produce enough food for both domestic consumption and export, rather than relying on imports. Additionally, President Bio met with His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in agriculture, trade, and investment. President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to supporting Sierra Leone's development efforts, emphasizing regional cooperation in achieving food security and economic growth.

The visit underscores President Bio's commitment to his flagship initiative, "Feed Salone," which aims to revolutionize agriculture in Sierra Leone. By exploring innovative strategies and adopting best practices from IITA, President Bio seeks to empower local farmers, improve crop yields, and attract greater investment in Sierra Leone's agricultural sector. This collaboration has the potential to not only transform Sierra Leone's farming landscape but also contribute significantly to the broader transformation of Africa's agricultural sector. 

The partnership between IITA and APDC highlights the broader network of collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing agricultural development and youth empowerment across Africa. The Centre looks forward to the fruitful outcomes of this visit, anticipating that it will foster stronger partnerships, accelerate agricultural innovation, and contribute to the growth of Africa's agricultural sector.