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Team

SAFFA MOHAMED MASSAQUOI (PhD)
Head of Department, Agribusiness Management, Njala University

Dr. Saffa Mohamed Massaquoi

PhD in Agricultural Economics and Forestry Management

Head of Department, Agribusiness Management

Njala University, Sierra Leone

10+
Years Experience
3
Advanced Degrees
25+
Students Supervised
1200+
Households Studied

Professional Summary

Dr. Saffa Mohamed Massaquoi is a research-driven Agri-business and Agricultural Economist with over 10 years of cross-continental experience (Africa/Asia) advancing sustainable agribusiness through peer-reviewed publications, competitive grants, and curriculum innovation.

His expertise includes designing youth capacity-building initiatives validated in research funding (AfDB/IFAD), and forging multi-stakeholder partnerships that bridge academic research with policy implementation, notably through comparative analysis of China's NACGS and Sierra Leonean financial systems.

Currently leveraging deep institutional knowledge as Njala University Lecturer and Chair of Curriculum Reform Committee, where he leads the Sustainable Agribusiness Systems Research Group while developing ECOWAS-accredited graduate courses that empower youth through evidence-based agribusiness innovation.

He combines doctoral research on credit-productivity nexuses with institutional leadership to strengthen both smallholder resilience and the university's academic mission.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Agricultural Economics and Forestry Management
Guizhou University, China
2025
Thesis: "Financing Agricultural Development: Linkages between Financial Credits, Agricultural Productivity Growth and Welfare Improvements – Evidence from Sierra Leone"
Advisor: Prof. Zhu Mande
Relevant Coursework: Advanced Econometrics, Development Economics, Natural Resource Economics, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, Agricultural Economics
Master of Science (M.Sc.) - Agricultural Economics
Njala University, Sierra Leone
2017
Research: Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Cocoa Production Systems in Sierra Leone
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Agribusiness Management (First Class Honours)
Njala University, Sierra Leone
2014
Distinction: Dissertation, Business Plan Proposal & Project Development

Work Experience

Lecturer
Department of Agribusiness Management and Agricultural Economics, Njala University, Sierra Leone
January 2018 – Present
  • Strategic Curriculum & Skills Development: Design and deliver core undergraduate and Masters courses (Agricultural Economics, Production Economics, Project Management, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Credit & Finance, Farming as a Business, Entrepreneurship) directly building the agribusiness competencies targeted by initiatives like ENABLE SALARIes. Review curriculum for relevance and impact.
  • Research Leadership & Mentorship: Mentor BSc and MSc students on research projects, fostering innovation and practical application relevant to Sierra Leone's agricultural challenges. Publish research in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the knowledge base for sustainable development and youth engagement.
  • Institutional Engagement: Deep understanding of Njala University's operations, stakeholder landscape, and potential for hosting transformative projects like the Songhai model ecosystem.
International Research Associate
National Agricultural Credit Guarantee System (NACGS), Guiyang, China
2023 – 2025
  • Policy Analysis: Evaluated NACGS's risk-sharing mechanisms for agricultural loans, identifying transferable models for Sierra Leonean rural finance institutions.
  • Guarantee Product Design: Contributed to developing credit guarantee products targeting smallholder farmers and agri-SMEs in China.
  • Stakeholder Coordination: Liaised between provincial credit guarantee branches (e.g., Shandong, Hunan) and partner banks (ABC, CCB) in China.
  • Impact Assessment: Analyzed portfolio data covering 12,000+ guaranteed loans to quantify farmer income improvements.
  • Knowledge Transfer: Authored comparative report: "Adapting Chinese Credit Guarantee Models for West African Agri-SMEs."
Agri-business Officer
Apex Bank Sierra Leone Limited (RFCIP Project)
2017 – 2022
  • Large-Scale Project & Partnership Leadership: Directed the AFF unit, managing value chain finance programs across a national network of 17 community banks and 59 Financial Services Associations (FSAs). Cultivated and sustained critical partnerships with diverse RFIs and stakeholders.
  • Strategic Stakeholder Engagement & Resource Mobilization: Represented the AFF unit, engaging potential investors (foreign and local) and participating in high-level IFAD supervision and program development missions.
  • Financial Oversight & Systems Development: Assessed loan applications, managed portfolio reporting, mitigated delinquency risks. Instrumental in developing annual plans, budgets, and the RFI agricultural loan monitoring policy. Authored the Value Chain Financing Training Manual for CBs/FSAs.
  • Policy Analysis & Sector Development: Conducted economic/financial analyses, identified rural finance gaps, evaluated policy impacts, and assessed lending models targeting farmers and agribusinesses – informing strategic improvements.
Agribusiness Development Technical Assistant
National Programme Coordination Unit (MAFFS - RCPRP/RFCIP IFAD Projects)
April 2015 – December 2016
  • Grassroots Empowerment & Institution Building: Spearheaded the organization of smallholder farmers (including youth) into functional FBOs and cooperatives. Developed tailored agribusiness models to enhance market participation and sustainability.
  • Market & Finance Access Catalyst: Successfully linked FBOs/cooperatives to markets and finance through Rural Finance Institutions (CBs, FSAs) and the Apex Bank. Developed compelling bankable business plans to unlock funding.
  • Capacity Building Architect: Designed and delivered comprehensive training programs for farmers (including youth) in business management, financial literacy, group dynamics, and value chain financing.
  • Value Chain Development & Innovation: Identified high-potential value chains and developed innovative business models (e.g., out-grower schemes) for FBOs, cooperatives, and private agribusinesses.
  • Monitoring, Evaluation & Knowledge Management: Tracked project activities and loan performance, identifying risks. Documented and disseminated best practices to enhance program impact.

Consultancies

Business Development & Marketing Consultant
Cord-Aid International, Freetown
May – October 2015

Provided strategic business and marketing advice.

Agribusiness Model Development & Advisor
Alhabajar Rice Development Company Ltd, Torma Bum
2016 – 2022

Advised on sustainable rice business models.

Agribusiness Model & Business Plan Development (Maize Value Chain)
Leecon Poultry Farm, Waterloo
2020 – Present

Developed integrated supply chain models.

Consultant
African Initiative For Universal Development Organization (AIUDO)
2022

Research Experience

Doctoral Research Fellow
Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
2022 – 2025
  • Designed mixed-methods study analyzing 1,200+ smallholder households in Sierra Leone using SVAR, PSM and IV-2SLS regression models.
  • Collaborated with China's National Agricultural Credit Guarantee System (NACGS) to develop comparative framework for West African credit-risk models.
  • Co-authored publication in Land Journal on farmland productivity using China's 2000-2021 panel data.
Principal Investigator
Njala University, Sierra Leone
2018 – Present
  • Lead research team studying technical efficiency of staple crops (rice, cassava, cocoa).
  • Secured grant for "Youth Agribusiness Innovation Lab" project.
  • Supervised 25+ undergraduate dissertations on Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, and Agricultural value chains.

Areas of Expertise

Agricultural Economics • Agribusiness Management • Rural Finance & Credit Systems • Value Chain Development • Smallholder Productivity • Youth Capacity Building • Curriculum Development • Policy Analysis • Technical Efficiency Analysis • Sustainable Agriculture

saffa_massaquoi
Contact Info
+23276577791
Education

Dr. Saffa Mohamed Massaquoi

Publications & Academic Conferences

Refereed Journal Papers

Massaquoi, S.M., Zhu, M., & Ge, D. (2025): 'Does Financial Credit Obtained From Financial Institutions Influence Agricultural Productivity While Balancing Economic Growth and Sustainability? Empirical Evidence from Sierra Leone Using the VAR Approach', SAGE Open (IF: 2.0).
Zhu, M., Ge, D., & Massaquoi, S.M. (2025): 'Does Construction of High-Standard Farmland Improve Total Factor Productivity of Grain? Evidence from China, 2000–2021', Land Use Policy (IF: 6.2).
Massaquoi et al., (2023): 'Empirical Analyses of Financial Credit on Smallholder Farmer's Productivity Modelling Farmers Credit Allocation from Rural Banks in Sierra Leone', Food and Agribusiness Management Journal.
Massaquoi et al., (2023): 'An Empirical and Economic Analysis of Cassava Productivity in Selected Areas of Southern Sierra Leone', Food and Agri Economics Review Journal.
Saffa Barbee Massaquoi, Samuel Augustine Koroma, Rosaline Issata Manyeh and Saffa Mohamed Massaquoi (2022): 'Assessing the Impact of Agricultural Education Programmes on Farm Production in Rural Agricultural Communities in Yoni Chiefdom Tokolili District, Northern Sierra Leone', International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development, Volume 5, Issue 1, Jan-Jun 2022, pp. 92-102. P-ISSN: 2618-0723, E-ISSN: 2618-0731
Massaquoi et al., (2022): 'Productivity and Economic Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Cocoa Production in Kailahun District, Eastern Sierra Leone', International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research, Volume-6, Issue-4, Apr-2022, pp. 28-47. E-ISSN: 2635-3040; P-ISSN: 2659-1561
Massaquoi et al., (2022): 'Productivity and Technical Efficiency of Rice Production in Selected Area in Kambia District, Northern Sierra Leone', International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research, Volume-6, Issue-4, Apr-2022, pp. 10-22. E-ISSN: 2635-3040; P-ISSN: 2659-1561
Massaquoi et al., (2021): 'Socio-economics Analysis of Rice Postharvest System among Rice Producers in the North and South of Sierra Leone', International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research, Volume-5, Issue-2, 2021, pp. 1-9. E-ISSN: 2635-3040; P-ISSN: 2659-1561
Massaquoi et al., (2021): 'Assessing the Factor Affecting Smallholder Farmers Access to Formal Credit in Bo District, Southern Sierra Leone', International Journal of Recent Innovations in Academic Research, Volume-5, Issue-8, August-2021, pp. 109-123. E-ISSN: 2635-3040; P-ISSN: 2659-1561

Academic Conferences

International Conferences

2024 China-ASEAN Xishan Academic Exchange Forum
China
2024
Building a New Framework for National Food Security
China
2024
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Academicians from Developing Countries
China
2024
Green Development International Youth Forum
Thailand
2023
Strategic Partnership for Innovation and Reform in Higher Education
Sierra Leone
2022
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Academicians from Developing Countries
China
Year Not Specified

Research Focus Areas

Agricultural Economics | Financial Credit & Productivity | Food Security | Smallholder Farming Systems | Technical Efficiency Analysis | Agricultural Extension | Rural Development

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