President of Sierra Leone Says Ethiopia’s Wheat Self-Sufficiency Beacon of Hope for Africa

Addis Ababa November 7/2024(ENA)-The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, lauded Ethiopia’s achievement of wheat self-sufficiency, calling it a "beacon of hope and optimism" for Africa. 

Speaking at the World without Hunger Conference in Addis Ababa, President Bio emphasized that Ethiopia’s success demonstrates the transformative potential of targeted technological interventions, institutional strengthening, and supportive policies in achieving food security.

"Ethiopia’s accomplishment is a remarkable example of what can be achieved when strategic actions are aligned," President Bio stated. "With visionary leadership and strong political will, Africa can harness its vast arable land and growing population to secure food for all and ensure that no child goes to bed hungry."

He further urged African leaders to commit fully to unlocking the continent's agricultural potential, highlighting the importance of intensifying efforts toward Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) — zero hunger. 

"It is time for leaders to use all political capital to transform food systems and collectively bring Africa closer to a hunger-free world," he added, calling for a comprehensive, sustainable approach to address hunger and food insecurity across the continent.

President Bio shared Sierra Leone’s initiatives toward food security, including the flagship Pizza Loaf Programme, which aims to boost agricultural productivity, build resilient food systems, and leverage the nation’s youthful workforce and favorable climate through modern technologies. 

Sierra Leone has also implemented targeted policies to reduce food imports, making the sector more competitive for farmers. The President pointed to their successful school feeding program, which has improved school attendance, retention, and academic performance, ensuring over 500,000 students receive nutritious meals during the academic year. 

He also underscored the importance of empowering women, who comprise more than 70 percent of Sierra Leone’s agricultural labor force, through economic opportunities and local processing support.

As Africa’s population continues to grow, with projections suggesting it will reach 2.4 billion by 2050, President Bio emphasized the urgent need for collective action to secure the continent's food future. 

He called upon governments, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector to work together toward food security and sovereignty for Africa and the world.

“Achieving a zero-hunger world is undeniably challenging, but Ethiopia’s success in wheat sufficiency shows it is possible,” he concluded, reaffirming his commitment to a future where hunger is eradicated for current and future generations.

The World without Hunger Conference held in Addis Ababa over the past three days under the theme “A World without Hunger is Possible.” 

It brought together over 1,500 key stakeholders—including heads of state, government officials, UN agencies, private sector representatives, and civil society leaders—to address one of humanity’s most pressing challenges. 

The event, organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the Ethiopian government, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), featured solution-focused sessions, an investment forum, and a high-level political forum to foster coordinated, impactful action toward a hunger-free world.