President Bio Says Rice Production Is 8% Up With 13% Drop In Imports

By Desmond Isaac Macauley
In his State Opening of Parliament on 7th August 2025, President Julius Maada Bio outlines his administration’s accomplishments and future goals, emphasizing on the Big Five Game Changers, agriculture, human capital development, youth empowerment, digital and infrastructure advancement, and accountable public service delivery.
President Bio positions agriculture at the heart of his agenda, citing the Feed Salone initiative as a major success, with rice production up 8%, a 13% drop in imports, and $15 million in foreign exchange savings.
The President notes significant strides in agricultural infrastructure, with three new rice mills opened and the World Food Programme now sourcing 30% of its rice from local farmers. Additional wins included reduced egg imports, initial vegetable oil exports, and over $800 million pledged to the sector.
He also highlights digital initiatives like biometric farmer registration and digital soil mapping. In fisheries, revenues exceeded $5 million in 2024, and new quota systems and international partnerships, such as with Egypt, are expected to further enhance sustainability and profits, he stated.
Turning to education, President Bio reaffirms his administration’s dedication to free, quality schooling. Over 1,500 classrooms have been constructed, more than 20,000 teachers trained, and examination fees are covered by the state. Programs aimed at supporting girls and vulnerable youth including school feeding, sanitary pads, and reentry initiatives are improving retention.
Digital transformation and public service reform were also key themes. Twenty government agencies now use digital payment systems, improving transparency and efficiency. Automated payments and increased audit coverage are helping build a more accountable public sector. The President points to these reforms as building blocks for a professional and citizen focused government.
President Bio closes by acknowledging economic challenges but praised Sierra Leone’s resilience. The economy grew by 4% in 2024, inflation fell from 54.5% to 9.38%, and the currency remained relatively stable adding that domestic revenue rose to NLe 14.6 billion, while public debt dropped to 39.5% of GDP. Stressing that foreign aid alone cannot drive national development, he called for increased domestic resource mobilization and warned against illicit financial flows.
He ends with a message of shared responsibility and national discipline, stating, “Progress is real, but the road ahead requires discipline, sacrifice, and shared responsibility.”