IllustrativeSierra Leone Innovation Investment Fund (SLIIF)
Sierra Leone · Western AreaInformation and Communications Technology (ICT) / Multi-Sector Innovation Fund · Venture Capital & Innovation Ecosystem Catalyst Fund (AgTech, Off-grid Energy, FinTech, Blue Economy)
A proposed blended finance and venture catalyst fund in Sierra Leone targeting early-stage and growth businesses in AgTech, off-grid energy, FinTech and the blue economy. It targets a documented growth-capital gap with minimum ticket sizes of $250k-$2m and a $50m target capitalisation.
Rationale
Sierra Leone has a significant funding gap for businesses seeking $250k-$2m growth capital. The proposed vehicle targets this gap across priority sectors and aims to fund about 30 early-stage and growth companies a year, alongside ecosystem and innovation infrastructure support.
- Vehicle
- Blended finance innovation fund
- Target size
- USD 50m
- Focus
- AgTech, energy, FinTech, blue economy
- Stage
- Late-stage development
Investment opportunity
Transaction structure
Blended finance vehicle seeking USD 50m for an innovation and venture fund with ecosystem capacity and innovation infrastructure components.
Use of funds
Investment window, ecosystem capacity building, innovation infrastructure, venture development platform, and annual operating costs.
Revenue basis
The vehicle is intended to invest in private companies, with indicative ticket sizes of USD 250k to USD 2m and a 10-year tenor. Pipeline and investor discussions are under verification.
The ask
Blended capital and strategic partners to capitalise the vehicle and advance fund structuring.
Why it is bankable
The project targets businesses needing USD 250k-2m growth capital, a gap identified in the project brief.
It focuses on AgTech, off-grid energy, FinTech and the blue economy, aligned with national priority programmes.
Sierra Leone faces persistent access-to-finance constraints, with about 80% of the population unbanked.²
The project is listed as a Sierra Leone government priority project through MoCTI, though documentation is still to be confirmed.
Data and evidence · Investment case figures
Project readiness and timeline
- OriginationPriority project identified
- FeasibilityInvestment case prepared
- StructuringCurrent stage
- Financial closeInvestor discussions ongoing
- Phase 1 operationsTo follow
Key risks and mitigants
fund size, manager and documentation remain to be confirmed.
pipeline is under verification; sector focus diversifies exposure.
draft financial model indicates further structuring work is still needed.
Transaction terms
- Instrument
- Blended capital
- Target size
- USD 50m
- Committed
- USD 0.5m
- Tenor
- 10 years
- Ticket size
- USD 250k-2m
Development impact
Enterprise growth
Targets about 30 early-stage and growth companies funded each year.
Financial inclusion
Can support underserved businesses in a market where about 80% of the population is unbanked.²
Sector impact
Focus includes off-grid energy, AgTech, FinTech and blue economy businesses.
Ecosystem building
Includes funding for ecosystem capacity and innovation infrastructure.