A $60 million investment deal with Kissy Industry Limited has been formally approved by the Parliament in a historic move that could drastically alter Sierra Leone’s economic situation. Announced in Freetown on July 10, 2025, this noteworthy development is a daring step towards industrial growth and economic revitalisation in the West African country. Building on the agreement’s initial presentation on July 3, the ratification came after a lengthy and passionate debate in Parliament. Signed earlier in January 2025, the agreement focuses on enhancing operations in the rapidly growing oil palm sector with the dual objectives of increasing job opportunities and strengthening the country’s capacity to generate revenue.
The agreement was enthusiastically described by Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, the Minister of Trade and Industry, as a crucial instrument for promoting agricultural industrialisation and inclusive development throughout Sierra Leone. He underlined how Kissy Industry Limited’s increased investment could help local production capabilities, facilitate value addition, and provide young people and farmers throughout the country with promising job opportunities.
During the parliamentary discussions, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, Chairperson of the Trade Committee, expressed her support for the agreement but raised important concerns regarding its implementation. Recalling past incidents in which businesses had not fulfilled their employment obligations, she emphasised the need for accountability from both Parliament and the Kissy Industry. The chamber was moved by her comments, which emphasised the need for greater accountability and transparency in the activities of both domestic and foreign investors.
Opposition Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, on the other hand, voiced optimism about the agreement, calling it a timely intervention that could greatly increase agricultural productivity, support regional industries, and spur GDP growth in general. He urged the government to give the required support to help accomplish developmental goals and urged patience with the company’s efforts. His viewpoint mirrored a common aspiration across political lines for such calculated investments to produce observable and significant results.
Speaking on behalf of the Bo District, Hon. Charles Abdulai discussed the deal’s lack of controversy and argued that it should be approved as a crucial component of a larger national plan to strengthen the private sector’s capabilities. In support of a vision of equitable and balanced development across the nation, he commended Kissy Industry’s operations’ diversity and urged comparable investments in Sierra Leone’s eastern and southern regions.
Ratifying this $60 million deal with Kissy Industry Limited puts Sierra Leone on a promising path towards industrialisation and increased agricultural productivity by demonstrating a shared desire for economic growth and development. This agreement offers a bright future for the country’s agriculture industry and economy as a whole, with the potential to boost employment and the economy.
