Lidama Archi Fofanah Muvah Produces Transforming Poultry Farming, One Egg at a Time

In the heart of Gloucester Village, Freetown, a quiet revolution is unfolding in Sierra Leone’s poultry industry, led by the unstoppable Lidama Archi Fofanah, CEO of Muvah Produce. Since its inception in 2017, Muvah Produce has been on a mission to bridge the gap between local poultry production and the growing demand for fresh, quality eggs and chicken meat. But the journey hasn’t been easy.

Lidama has faced challenges that many in agribusiness can relate to, i.e., limited access to finance, costly poultry feed imports, and technical gaps in livestock management. With 90% of poultry feed sourced from overseas, importers dominate the market, making local production both costly and unpredictable. High chicken mortality rates, unreliable transport, and a lack of proper storage facilities further complicated her operations

However, Lidama’s determination to scale her business found a lifeline through the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP). After a rigorous application and training process, she gained access to Technical Assistance and Grant Financing, a turning point that catapulted her business into a new era of growth.
From Small-Scale Farming to a Thriving Poultry Empire

Through SLEDP, Lidama mastered financial management, business documentation, strategic planning, and livestock monitoring—skills that empowered her to make data-driven decisions. “I learned that business isn’t just about putting in money, it’s about managing capital wisely and tracking growth over time,” she reflects.

With the SLEDP grant, Muvah Produce achieved remarkable milestones:
•⁠ ⁠Expanded poultry capacity – from 2,000 to 4,000 laying birds and introduced 3,000 broilers.
•⁠ ⁠Increased egg production – from two cartons per day to 8–10 cartons daily.
•⁠ ⁠Enhanced biosecurity measures – reducing poultry losses and improving overall livestock health.
•⁠ ⁠Invested in sustainable storage solutions – purchasing 500L and 520L deep freezers to preserve processed chicken and extend shelf life.
•⁠ ⁠Secured a transport van – ensuring a smoother supply chain and timely deliveries.

Raising the Bar in the Poultry Industry
Before the SLEDP intervention, Lidama operated with just four staff members; today, she employs 12 people, contributing to job creation in her community. Her customer base has expanded exponentially, supplying top-tier hotels like Radisson Blu and Country Lodge, alongside supermarkets and retail stores across Goderich, central Freetown, and Jui.

Thanks to her increased capacity, she now supplies up to 30 cartons of eggs per week to a single client, a milestone that was once unimaginable. The introduction of transparent egg trays imported from China has enhanced product safety, elevating the branding and market appeal of Muvah Produce.
A Vision for the Future

Lidama’s ambition knows no bounds. Over the next five years, she envisions transforming Muvah Produce into a leading poultry processing facility, significantly boosting chicken meat production and egg supply to meet rising consumer demand. With the recent acquisition of land for business expansion, she is laying the foundation for an even bigger and more impactful enterprise.

Words of Wisdom to Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Lidama’s message to fellow women in business is simple yet profound:
“Believe in yourself. If you have a dream, pursue it with all your strength. Everything else will fall into place.” Her story is a testament to what women can achieve with the right support, skills, and determination. Thanks to SLEDP, the World Bank, and Innovation SL, Lidama has not only scaled her business but also reshaped the poultry landscape in Sierra Leone – one egg at a time.