By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter D.S
The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency convened entrepreneurs, farmers, students, and local leaders in Port Loko on Sunday to promote climate-resilient business practices ahead of World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day 2026.
Held at the New Auditorium of Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology under the theme “SMEs for Climate Action and Resilience,” the forum drew participants from across the district, including market women, entertainers, and council representatives.
SMEDA Chief Executive Officer Sheka Samuel Sannoh told the gathering that small businesses remain central to Sierra Leone’s economic growth. He urged owners to integrate climate-conscious strategies into daily operations to improve sustainability and withstand environmental shocks.
Agricultural Instructor Mohamed Fofanah of the Ministry of Agriculture raised concerns about community-level environmental stewardship. “We don’t take good care of our environment,” he said, calling on residents to plant and maintain trees to mitigate climate impacts.
Local traders highlighted operational hurdles that undermine growth. A representative of the Kondato Market Traders Union cited inadequate storage facilities, unreliable power supply, and frequent losses from spoiled goods as major constraints facing small businesses.
Dr. Patrick Komawa, of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, advised entrepreneurs to leverage institutional support. He directed traders to channel requests for assistance through the National Commission for Social Action, local councils, and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust.
SMEDA officials also outlined available services designed to support climate-resilient entrepreneurship and business development. Attendees described the session as timely, saying it offered practical guidance on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The engagement forms part of national activities marking World MSME Day 2026, which spotlights the role of small businesses in climate action.
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