By Idrissa Hilton Gogra
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone Embassy
Berlin, Germany
In June 2024, President Julius Maada Bio co-chaired the OPEC conference in Austria. It successfully secured pledges totalling USD 800 million from international development and financial institutions at the Sierra Leone Investment Roundtable on Renewable Energy and Food Security. The event was organized by the OPEC Fund for International Development in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security to bolster investment in crucial sectors.
This visit has sparked increased interest from potential investors, who visited Sierra Leone from July 13th to July 20th, 2024, for an investment assessment. The delegation included Mr Michael Mutz, Manager at a Tax Consultancy Firm in Vienna; Mr Martin Litischauer, Owner of Immo GmbH and Consul of Congo; and Mr George Tapai, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Europe-Africa, and President of Retails GmbH in Vienna and Togo. They expressed optimism about investing in the country, citing a favourable investment climate.
During a meeting with the Ministry of Finance, Mr Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura emphasized the transparency of President Bio’s government and highlighted the “Big Five” agenda focusing on agriculture (“Feed Salone”), infrastructure, investment, and employment. He assured that the government welcomes further investments in agriculture, tourism, energy, and other sectors.
The potential investors also held several meetings with key government officials, including the Director General of Foreign Affairs, who represented the Minister in his absence, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Works and Public Assets, the Deputy Minister of Energy, the Executive Director of the National Investment Board, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce. These officials expressed enthusiasm and encouraged the investors to take advantage of the opportunities within Sierra Leone’s investment landscape.
The positive reception and commitment to fostering a conducive investment environment have set the stage for significant economic growth and development in Sierra Leone. The potential investors left with optimism about the country’s prospects and the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships.
