Browsing by Author "Sillah, Abdulai"

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    Digital financial inclusion and SME performance in post-pandemic Freetown: Evidence from mobile money adoption and business resilience
    (GSC Online Press, 2026-03-31) Sillah, Abdulai
    This study examines the relationship between digital financial inclusion, particularly mobile money adoption, and small and medium enterprise (SME) performance in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during the post-pandemic recovery period (2021-2024). Using a mixed-methods approach with survey data from 385 SMEs across six municipal districts, the study employs multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling to investigate how digital payment systems influence business resilience, revenue growth, and financial sustainability. The study findings reveal that mobile money adoption is positively associated with SME revenue growth (β = 0.412, p < 0.001) and operational resilience (β = 0.368, p < 0.001), with this relationship moderated by owner education level and business formalization status. The study contributes to the growing literature on financial inclusion in West Africa and provides empirical evidence for policymakers seeking to enhance SME development through digital transformation initiatives in post-conflict economies.
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    Integrated strategies for food waste reduction in Sierra Leone: A collaborative approach
    (GSC Online Press, 2025-11-25) Sillah, Abdulai
    Food waste is a pervasive global issue with significant economic, social, and environmental implications. In Sierra Leone, food waste is particularly acute, with substantial losses occurring at the post-harvest stage due to inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation infrastructure, and limited access to proper preservation technologies. This article examines the efficacy of collaborative approaches in mitigating food waste among farmers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Sierra Leone. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study synthesizes existing research, case studies, and reports to highlight the importance of collaborative efforts in reducing food waste. The review highlights the importance of developing coordinated and cooperative strategies that involve diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, businesses, and community groups. The findings reveal that collaborative governance (CG) processes, which engage stakeholders in consensus-oriented decision-making, are well-suited for addressing food waste in complex systems. The study also identifies key challenges and opportunities associated with collaborative approaches, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement, resource availability, and contextual relevance. The article concludes with recommendations for improving the effectiveness of collaborative efforts and highlights the potential for these approaches to enhance food security and environmental sustainability in Sierra Leone. This study contributes to the broader understanding of food waste mitigation strategies and provides insights into the enablers, challenges, and best practices for collaborative approaches in the context of developing countries.
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    Market dynamics, global shocks, and supply chain constraints in agricultural commodity markets: Evidence from Northern Sierra Leone
    (GSC Online Press, 2026-08-11) Sillah, Abdulai
    This article examines the multifaceted interactions between global market forces, digital transformation, consumer behaviour shifts, and supply chain constraints in shaping agricultural commodity prices in Northern Sierra Leone. Drawing on primary survey data collected from 202 respondents across Yoni Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, in June 2025, the study employs a cross-sectional research design with chi-square analyses to investigate the relationships between occupational categories and market-related outcomes. The findings reveal that digital marketplace expansion (24.3%), changing consumer preferences (22.3%), and sustainability concerns (22.3%) constitute the dominant trends impacting local agricultural prices. While 62.9% of respondents reported that e-commerce has increased commodity prices, the local food movement emerged as the single most significant consumer trend (34.7%), followed by clean-label preferences (17.8%) and health-conscious buying (17.3%). International trade agreements (24.3%) and currency fluctuations (21.8%) were identified as the primary external market factors affecting local price dynamics. Critically, the chi-square analyses demonstrated statistically significant associations between occupation and the experience of market challenges (χ² = 13.990, df = 4, p = 0.007) and between occupation and adaptation of farming practices (χ² = 13.438, df = 4, p = 0.009). Despite these pressures, collaborative arrangements among agricultural stakeholders remain underdeveloped, with only 58.9% engaging in any form of collective action, predominantly through knowledge sharing (37.0%) and shared transportation (34.5%). The study contributes empirical evidence from an under-researched region to ongoing debates regarding food systems transformation in sub-Saharan Africa and offers policy recommendations for strengthening rural market integration, digital infrastructure, and cooperative frameworks to enhance food security and smallholder resilience.
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    Systemic Determinants of Collaborative Food Waste Reduction:Gender, Age, and Inter-Variable Dynamics in Sierra Leone’s Agricultural Governance
    (Bright Sphere Insights, 2026-05-13) Sillah, Abdulai
    This study examines the systemic determinants of collaborative food waste reduction effectiveness in Sierra Leone, focusing on the moderating roles of gender and age, and the inter-variable dynamics that shape collaborative outcomes. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of 399 agricultural stakeholders in Bo District, the study employs Spearman rank-order correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests within a multi-theoretical framework integrating Collaborative Advantage Theory, Systems Theory, and Stakeholder Theory. The analysis identifies 524 statistically significant inter-variable correlations (228 strong, ρ ≥ 0.50), revealing three interdependent variable clusters: Governance and Leadership, Knowledge and Communication, and Resources and Infrastructure. Significant gender differences emerge across 28 of 33 variables (p 45). Based on these findings, the study proposes the Collaborative Food Waste Reduction Framework (CFWRF) a seven-tier, evidence-based intervention model. The results demonstrate that collaborative food waste reduction variables form an interconnected system, not independent factors, and that piecemeal interventions will be insufficient. These findings extend Systems Theory and Stakeholder Theory to Sub-Saharan African agricultural governance and provide actionable implications for inclusive, systemic policy design.
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