By Amin Kef (Ranger)
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has issued a clarion call to U.S. investors, presenting the country as one of Africa’s most promising yet untapped markets for sustainable business opportunities. Addressing the U.S.–Sierra Leone Business Roundtable organized by the Corporate Council on Africa and global law firm DLA Piper on Tuesday September 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C., President Bio declared Sierra Leone “open for business” and outlined a bold vision of growth, stability and partnership.
President Bio began his keynote by highlighting the reforms and progress achieved during his seven years in office, noting that his administration has carefully laid the foundation for investment success. He cited economic stabilization, strengthened fiscal discipline and the creation of a one-stop National Investment Board (NIB) to ease business registration and permits as major achievements that now make Sierra Leone a more attractive environment for investors.
Equally important, he emphasized, are the investor protection laws that have been reinforced, anchored on transparency, the rule of law and predictability. “The result,” he said, “is a country that is now easier, safer and more profitable to do business in.” By opening new space for private sector-led growth, Sierra Leone has moved closer to realizing its ambition of becoming a premier investment destination in West Africa.
President Bio positioned Sierra Leone as a nation ready for partnership and expansion, outlining several unique advantages that U.S. companies stand to benefit from:
- Political stability rooted in a functioning democracy with peaceful transitions of power.
- A youthful workforce, with over 70 percent of the population under 35, eager to acquire skills and employment.
- Abundant natural resources, including fertile agricultural land, rich fisheries, critical minerals and significant renewable energy potential.
- A regional gateway, with Sierra Leone serving as current Chair of ECOWAS, offering investors access to a 400-million-strong market projected to reach a $2 trillion GDP by 2043.
“These are not abstract promises,” the President said. “They are the building blocks of a new Sierra Leone that is ready to welcome investors who are prepared to grow with us.”
A key theme of President Bio’s address was Sierra Leone’s commitment to value addition and shared prosperity. He underscored that his Government does not want to limit foreign engagement to resource extraction but instead seeks partnerships that promote transformation and job creation.
In agriculture, Sierra Leone is transitioning from subsistence farming to agro-processing to boost productivity and exports. In energy, the country is prioritizing renewable power generation to drive industrial corridors and manufacturing. And in the digital sector, investments are being channeled into building the infrastructure for e-commerce and fintech, enabling Sierra Leone to take part in the global digital economy.
“These are areas where U.S. firms already lead globally,” President Bio noted. “And these are precisely the areas where Sierra Leone can become your next growth market.”
President Bio also moved to reassure investors about risk mitigation, pointing to Sierra Leone’s strong ties with global financial institutions. He referenced ongoing partnerships with the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, which help de-risk investments by co-financing projects, underwriting reforms, and ensuring policy continuity.
“You are not stepping in alone,” he told participants. “You are joining a crowd of trusted partners aligned behind our growth story.”
While making a strong case for investment, President Bio stressed that Sierra Leone is not just looking for short-term capital inflows but for long-term partnerships rooted in mutual benefit. He invited U.S. firms to see themselves as collaborators in Sierra Leone’s growth journey.
“We are not just inviting investors; we are inviting partners to grow with us; to convert today’s dialogue into bankable projects that deliver real returns while transforming lives in Sierra Leone and across West Africa,” he said.
He emphasized that the Government is ready to listen to investors’ concerns, co-create solutions and align incentives so that businesses can thrive while Sierra Leoneans benefit through jobs, technology and skills transfer.
Closing his keynote, President Bio declared Sierra Leone officially open for business, reaffirming that the time is now for U.S. companies to seize the opportunities the country offers. “Sierra Leone is one of the most promising investment destinations in Africa today. The time is now. I invite you to be part of Sierra Leone’s growth story,” he concluded to applause.
The Washington roundtable marks an important step in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to deepen international partnerships and attract meaningful foreign investment. With its youthful population, political stability and strategic location as a regional gateway, the country is positioning itself to become a significant player in Africa’s next phase of economic transformation.
