It is with excitement that we share an inspiring update from the heart of Sierra Leone’s entrepreneurial landscape. The ILO’s Opportunity Salone Programme, powered by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with Aurora Foundation, is making remarkable strides in promoting innovation and growth in the agri-business value chain.
This forward-thinking programme has selected eight promising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to receive vital support, capacity-building, and visibility as they bring bold ideas to life—redefining how we farm, process, and consume local produce. These SMEs stand as beacons of hope, tackling some of the region’s most pressing challenges with creativity, resilience, and purpose.
Among these exceptional entrepreneurs is Sia Salome Tengbeh, founder of Siato Teez Enterprise, based in Lungi at 13 Koromaya, Masoila. Sia’s mission is deeply rooted in food security and economic empowerment. Through her enterprise, she is producing safe, hygienic cassava flour as a sustainable alternative to wheat flour—addressing both scarcity and the soaring cost of wheat on the market.
Siato Teez Enterprise is focused not just on filling a gap, but on creating a thriving, resilient local industry. Her product line includes cassava flour, Chin Chin, and meat pie, all crafted to meet consumer needs in bread, cakes, and pastries. Sia’s vision is bold: to build a future where cassava flour is a staple in every home, boosting nutrition, reducing import dependency, and opening up new economic opportunities in rural communities.
We are particularly thrilled that Sia will be pitching her business at the upcoming Pitch Event and Exhibition on April 15 and 16 at Wusum Hotel, Makeni. This event will showcase the ingenuity of all eight SMEs, and promises to be a vibrant gathering of stakeholders, investors, and partners passionate about agri-business transformation.
Aurora Foundation remains committed to supporting impactful initiatives that promote sustainable development, inclusive growth, and women’s economic empowerment. We celebrate Sia and all the selected entrepreneurs who are redefining what’s possible in Sierra Leone.
Let’s continue to shine a light on innovation—rooted in tradition, powered by purpose.
