WANGU Holdings in Sierra Leone: better chain coordination, from farm to factory

In brief

• Through the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, funded by the European Union, COLEAD carried out an in-depth analysis of the supply and outgrower supervision systems of WANGU Holdings (Sierra Leone).
• Founded in 2012, WANGU produces, processes and markets fruits and leafy vegetables (local juices, exports of fruit pulp and frozen leafy vegetables).
• A systemic approach, from production to processing: farmer surveys, transporter interviews, warehouse and factory assessments.
• Key finding: the main constraint is not infrastructure capacity, but coordination across the chain.
• A five-priority action plan to cut losses and boost competitiveness.

A systemic analysis, from production to factory

COLEAD carried out an in-depth analysis of WANGU Holdings’ supply and outgrower supervision systems, to identify operational bottlenecks and propose practical solutions to improve supply reliability, reduce losses and strengthen coordination between farmers and the company. The approach covered all key stages — production, collection, transport, warehousing and processing — combining field surveys, interviews and consultations with the technical and management teams.

Strong foundations, but cumulative losses

WANGU already benefits from important assets: an established outgrower network and operational processing infrastructure. Several challenges nonetheless affect overall efficiency. At production level, post-harvest losses are significant, linked to collection delays and premature harvesting. Transport is constrained by poor roads, high costs and irregular collection schedules. At warehouse level, gaps in handling, grading, quality control and traceability generate losses and limit readiness for certification. The factory, meanwhile, operates below its potential — at just 45–60% utilisation — owing to inconsistent raw material supply.

The real issue: coordination

A key conclusion is that WANGU’s main constraint is not infrastructure capacity, but supply chain coordination. Weak linkages between production, transport, warehousing and processing reduce system efficiency and create cumulative losses. Improving communication, planning and synchronisation between actors therefore emerged as a major priority.

A five-priority action plan

The study proposes: improving transport efficiency (route planning, farmer clustering, fixed collection schedules); strengthening coordination between harvesting and collection; improving warehouse management (grading, sorting, handling, traceability); enhancing supply planning and factory utilisation through forecasting; and reinforcing trust and transparency with farmers (weighing, payments, collection predictability). The expected results: fewer losses, better quality and traceability, higher factory utilisation, and more sustainable relationships with farmers.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.