Mrs. Joyce Queeglay- Pajibo

An interview with Joyce Queeglay- Pajibo, Executive Director of Serving Humanity for Empowerment and Development (SHED)

We got a request from a government official in Liberia saying “you need to speak to Mrs. Joyce Queeglay – Pajibo, Executive Director of SHED. She is doing an amazing work.”

And speaking to Mrs. Joyce Queeglay – Pajibo is what we did in this 30-minute-long interview that promises to be insightful.

On the surface, it might seem like we are discussing poultry and corn production. However, what you will get from listening to this interview is how the economics of poultry and corn production serves as a veritable analogous to supply chain resilience, and a strong argument for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.

To summarize, we discussed how the experience of Ebola in Liberia helped inform SHED’s food security program – its strategy and goal of cutting down Liberia’s egg import dependence from about 90% to 50% in the next 3 years. In line with their mission, skills development, access to technology and market (creating demand for supply to follow) is a snapshot of this NGO’s strategy, and a model for national development.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of having good results from past investments as well as fatigue from donors and investors. Thus, addressing the question of why the results are not showing or not enough to gain investors’ confidence.

In addition, we acknowledged the impact the civil war had on Liberia’s development. Still, we conclude that the emergency relief mindset to development must end. It is time to build.

Finally, the results from SHED’s activities show that Liberia is ready to build. Liberia is welcoming investors that want to be part of her growth – especially in the country’s electricity sector.