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Impact Loop — Micro-Factory Sierra Leone
Micro-factory for dried fruit in Sierra Leone
Agriculture & food processing · Sierra Leone · Active project
Local value creation instead of raw exports · community funding
Who is behind it
- Initiative
- Impact Loop GmbH
- Industry
- Agriculture, food processing & sustainable development
- Project region
- Sierra Leone / Africa
- Focus
- Decentralised value creation through local production
The challenge
To strengthen local farming in Sierra Leone and minimise post-harvest losses of tropical fruit, Impact Loop developed an innovative concept for decentralised food processing.
How we delivered it
- 01
Micro-factory
A compact, energy-self-sufficient, mobile production unit was built and operated on site.
- 02
Drying technology
The unit uses a decentralised microgrid of 15 kWp PV and 32 kWh battery storage to process fresh fruit into premium dried fruit.
- 03
On-site value creation
Processing in the region keeps the whole value chain in Sierra Leone — and shelf life extends without a cold chain.
- 04
Community funding
As an alternative to crowd-funding, project capital is raised via the platform using profit-sharing rights or silent partnerships.
What the project achieves
- Reduced food loss through fast, gentle on-site processing.
- Income security: local jobs and higher income for smallholders and workers.
- Climate protection & energy efficiency: no energy-heavy cold chains, optimised drying.
Impact at a glance
$0
Own investment by the company
6.0 %
Return on participation
$4,500/yr
Repayment to investors
$45,000
Investment volume
Participation calculator
Project indicators at a glance
| Cost factor | Before (A) | After (B) | Saving / effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own investment by the company | – | $0 | Participation model |
| Processing | Raw export | On-site in Sierra Leone | Value creation in country |
| Energy supply | Grid / diesel | 15 kWp PV + 32 kWh storage | Energy self-sufficient |
| Social effect | – | Fair pay & jobs | Stable incomes |
| Climate effect | Logistics CO₂ | Local logistics | Lower CO₂ & losses |
Pictures from the project
„Our micro-factory in Sierra Leone makes food processing independent of large supply chains. It strengthens the region, creates jobs and significantly reduces food waste."
Takeaway for your project
This model fits if you want to combine regional value creation with decentralised renewables and community capital — also outside classic markets.
Explore the technical design and the participation model
Open this project's design in the Energy Scenario Studio or recalculate the participation model — pre-filled with this project's figures.
Technical design: island grid 15 kWp + 32 kWh
Island operation without grid connection: storage sizing, unserved load and residual generation over the year.
- 15 kWp PV
- 32 kWh Speicher
- Insel
Participation: EUR 45,000 community funding
How community capital compares to classic pre-financing.
- 45.000 €
- Community-Funding
All figures are project-based reference values and can be adjusted freely in the calculator.
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