AfDB Inspects Gbondapi Rice Facility as Construction Nears Completion

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has conducted an inspection of the Gbondapi Rice Processing Facility in Pujehun District, Sierra Leone, as construction approaches completion. The inspection was led by Rashida Katty Dumbuya, an Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist at the AfDB's Sierra Leone Country Office. The team assessed construction progress and compliance with environmental and social safeguards requirements.

The inspection revealed that the installation of major processing equipment at the Gbondapi facility is approximately 90% complete. The contractor informed the AfDB mission that more than 90% of the recommended safeguards measures had been implemented. The facility is equipped with two boreholes, water storage infrastructure, and a hybrid power system comprising 78 solar panels, 16 lithium batteries, and a 250 kVA generator.

The AfDB mission expressed satisfaction with the progress made but emphasized the need to address outstanding environmental, health, safety, and community welfare requirements before the facility is commissioned. The mission also assessed key implementation challenges and recommended additional measures to strengthen environmental and social safeguards management under the project.

Once operational, the Gbondapi Rice Processing Facility is expected to improve local rice processing capacity, reduce post-harvest losses, enhance rice quality, and create economic opportunities for farmers. The project is part of broader efforts under the Government's Feed Salone Agenda to strengthen domestic rice production and advance Sierra Leone's drive towards rice self-sufficiency.

The contractor has committed to completing the remaining works by the end of November 2026. The AfDB's Environmental and Social Implementation Support Mission visited Torma Bum and Gbondapi alongside staff and stakeholders of the Sierra Leone Rice Agro-Industrial Cluster (SL-RAIC) Project to assess construction progress and compliance with environmental and social safeguards requirements.

The Gbondapi Rice Processing Facility is one of the key projects under the Sierra Leone Rice Agro-Industrial Cluster (SL-RAIC) Project. The facility will provide a significant boost to the local rice industry, which is a critical sector for the country's economy. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of farmers and communities in the region.

The African Development Bank's investment in the Gbondapi Rice Processing Facility is part of its efforts to support Sierra Leone's economic development and food security. The project aligns with the Bank's strategic objectives of promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving living standards in the region.

Key points

• The African Development Bank's inspection of the Gbondapi Rice Processing Facility reveals 90% completion of major processing equipment installation.