By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In its April/May 2025 edition under the Africa Undiscovered series, Forbes Africa spotlighted the Gento Group of Companies for its groundbreaking contributions to Sierra Leone’s infrastructure development and national transformation. Titled: “Pioneering Local Excellence and Shaping National Progress,” the feature highlights the company’s visionary leadership, its flagship projects and its crucial role in reshaping the country’s economic landscape. According to Forbes Africa, Mohamed Gento Kamara, the Chairman and CEO of Gento Group of Companies (SL) Limited, has played a central role in unlocking Sierra Leone’s potential.
Forbes Africa attributes Mohamed Gento Kamara’s success to his journey as a British Sierra Leonean entrepreneur, who began his business career in South London with three mobile phone retail shops and later ventured into real estate investments in Manchester.
However, it was his decision to return to Sierra Leone in the early 2000s that marked a significant turning point. Mohamed Gento Kamara was motivated by a desire to contribute to the national rebuilding efforts following the country’s brutal civil war. As he told Forbes Africa, the then President encouraged him to stay and inspire young people, urging them to see that war was not the only option and that they could better their lives.
Since then, Mohamed Gento Kamara has grown Gento Group into a formidable enterprise with assets exceeding US$150 million, becoming a beacon of local entrepreneurship and development.
Forbes Africa notes that Gento Group’s early landmark projects, including the transformation of Hill Station and Hill Cot Road, solidified the company’s reputation as a trusted local partner in Sierra Leone’s development space. Mohamed Gento Kamara emphasized the profound transformation of those areas, which became symbols of local capability and national pride. Over the past decade, Gento Group has evolved into a key player in the country’s infrastructure drive, taking on projects with transformative potential for the economy. Leading this charge is the ambitious Banana Island Port Project, a strategic venture that Forbes Africa believes could redefine global maritime connectivity in West Africa.
Mohamed Gento Kamara explained that the Port’s natural depth of 22 meters and its prime location along the Atlantic shipping route offer Sierra Leone a competitive edge over regional ports. The project, secured under a 25-year renewable concession agreement with the Government, is set to commence full construction by the end of 2025.
He expressed confidence that the Port would transform Sierra Leone’s economy, creating job opportunities and enhancing trade routes linking Asia, America and Europe. Construction of a logistics hub is already underway and the Port is expected to be operational by 2028.
In addition to its maritime ambitions, Gento Group has also invested in Banana Island’s social infrastructure, building a hospital, community center and secondary school, which reflects the company’s commitment to inclusive development.
Beyond its coastal initiatives, Gento Group is spearheading the Waterloo Township Projects aimed at modernizing urban infrastructure and improving living conditions. The company is also developing rental housing along the Peninsula and has plans to enter the property sales market by 2026. As part of its resource development strategy, Gento Group operates a quarry in Tombo, with plans to export granite to The Gambia, tapping into regional construction material demand.
Forbes Africa underscores that Gento Group’s rise is a testament to what Sierra Leonean companies can achieve. Mohamed Gento Kamara himself noted that the company has brought confidence to Sierra Leone’s economy, transforming a landscape once dominated by foreign interests. He emphasized that Gento Group has changed the narrative, proving that local companies can lead the way in reshaping Sierra Leone’s economic future. The company’s strategic partnerships, collaborations with successive Governments and commitment to job creation are cited by Forbes Africa as key factors in its role as a catalyst for national development.
Looking to the future, Mohamed Gento Kamara sees Sierra Leone as a land of immense promise. He noted that Sierra Leone is a virgin state with untapped potential, highlighting the country’s wealth in minerals, tourism and infrastructure as key drivers of sustainable growth.
Forbes Africa concludes that the Gento Group stands out as a leading light, demonstrating that local companies, backed by vision, determination and patriotism, can shape the future and inspire a new generation of homegrown success.
