President Julius Maada Bio’s visionary leadership in Sierra Leone is leaving an indelible mark , which will inevitably be etched in his legacy, with transformative projects such as the ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms’ (ARISE IIP’s) establishment of an Economic Zone and the resurgence of passenger train services.
These initiatives, initiated in May 2023, represent a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s industrialization journey, holding the promise of substantial economic growth and job opportunities.
Assuming office in 2018 during a period of economic uncertainty, President Bio has shown a steadfast commitment to creating opportunities for all citizens, particularly focusing on empowering the youth and women, enhancing education as well as boosting agriculture.
During his first five years in power, he launched groundbreaking programs like the Free Quality Education Initiative, free school feeding, and the construction of a state-of-the-art international airport in Lungi. Furthermore, under his leadership, his Government invested heavily in infrastructural development, rural electrification among other key endeavors.
Indisputably, President Bio’s legacy will encompass the ARISE IIP project, with a spotlight on the Koya Industrial Zone and the reintroduction of passenger train services. The last passenger train service in Sierra Leone ceased operations in 1974, making the revival of this means of transportation a historic moment for the nation.
ARISE IIP, a distinguished developer and operator of industrial ecosystems across Africa, announced an impressive USD 120 million for the first phase, known as Special Industrial Zone –Koya Phase 1(SIZ-Koya Phase 1) of the development of an Economic or Industrial Zone in Koya. This initial investment will see the creation of 16 production units dedicated to import substitution industries and is projected to attract approximately $165 million in private investments, generating 2,500 direct job opportunities.
The subsequent phase, known as SIZ-Koya Phase 2, will expand over 350 hectares, encompassing 37 production units, creating an additional 6,500 jobs and attracting $140 million in foreign direct investment.
It must be noted that the Sierra Leone Industrial Zone in Koya is meticulously designed to accommodate a wide array of industries, spanning agro-industry, timber processing, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods manufacturing, electric vehicle production and cement and tile manufacturing.
Gagan Gupta, Founder and CEO of ARISE IIP, underscored the positive impact of this partnership with Sierra Leone, emphasizing that their integrated infrastructure development would foster job creation and sustainable industrialization in the country.
In addition to the ARISE IIP Project, Sierra Leone is set to breathe life back into its passenger train services marking a momentous return to rail transportation. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to revamp the mining sector, offering improved access to rail and port facilities and stimulating economic activities.
The partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms Ltd holds the potential to usher in unprecedented economic growth and employment opportunities. Comprehensively, the business plan outlines a total investment of $476 million that will encompass various enhancements in rail and port infrastructure, connectivity to mining regions, the reintroduction of passenger rail services and transportation links to neighboring Guinea.
Jesper Harring Boll, Managing Director of ARISE IIP, emphasized the company’s dedication to bolstering production efficiency and cost-effectiveness in Sierra Leone and throughout Africa.
Following the agreement’s signing, it will be presented to Parliament for ratification, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s steadfast commitment to promoting industrial development and economic prosperity.
President Bio’s legacy will definitely include the transformation of Sierra Leone’s industrial landscape through the establishment of the Koya Industrial Zone and the resurgence of passenger train services, ushering a historic chapter in the nation’s development.
