PRESS RELEASE
SIERRA LEONE CELEBRATED AS “OPEN FOR BUSINESS” AT PRESIDENTIAL GATHERING IN NEW YORK CITY
- Representatives of the government, business and financial communities discussed new and existing opportunities for overseas investment in Sierra Leone
- H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, addressed guests and commented on Sierra Leone’s recent economic developments and the government’s plans to spur further growth
- Africell presented a case study of its experience as a leading American investor in Sierra Leone
Africell Holding Ltd (Africell) hosted a gathering for His Excellency the President of Sierra Leone and the First Lady, senior members of his government and leading business and investment figures in New York City on Friday evening to celebrate Sierra Leone’s strengths as an overseas investment destination and to discuss opportunities for future partnership and growth.
The event took place on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly Annual Meeting, a premier conference consisting of the most influential decision-makers from Africa and around the world.
In a series of discussions and presentations to an audience containing H.E Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, as well as selected business leaders, international investors and representatives of a variety of international governmental bodies, Sierra Leone was described as an African success story and a model of resilience. Guests considered the pace of Sierra Leone’s development, its robust response to national challenges, the emergence of new industries and continued strength of traditional ones and the Government’s commitment to improving governance.
To add depth to the analysis, Africell – Sierra Leone’s leading mobile telecommunications company – gave insights into its own experience as a leading international investor in Sierra Leone. Ian Paterson, Africell’s Chief Investment Officer and Shadi Gerjawi, CEO of Africell Sierra Leone, identified six specific factors behind Africell’s success: taking a long-term perspective; focusing on people; maintaining an entrepreneurial attitude; supporting community development; fostering resilience; and displaying integrity.
In his remarks to guests, H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, said: “Africell is a good corporate citizen which is way ahead on the CSR ladder. We want to make Sierra Leone the hub of science, technology and innovation and Africell has done an exceptional job helping us move towards this vision”.
Commenting on the event, Ziad Dalloul, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Founder of Africell said:
“Africell understands first-hand how welcoming Sierra Leone is to international investors. Since 2005, we have benefitted from an increasingly diversified economy, talented and passionate local people, and a government taking practical steps to increase transparency and reduce corruption. As a committed partner to the government and people of Sierra Leone, Africell is proud to host events such as these which bring together key decision-makers, position Sierra Leone in front of a senior international audience, and boost Sierra Leone’s emerging reputation as an exciting destination for international investors from diverse sectors.”
ENDS
About Africell
Africell is an African mobile technology company.
We provide fast, low-cost and reliable mobile network coverage and related technology services to millions of individuals, communities and business in four vibrant African countries, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, RD Congo, and Uganda.
In Sierra Leone, Africell is the market leader, with over 4.5 million subscribers and a market share of over 70%. Having established in Sierra Leone in 2005, Africell is now a key private sector employer, with over 1,000 talented local employees.
Africell is a disruptor: keen to challenge inefficiencies, embrace fresh thinking and deliver innovative products and services which make a practical difference to everyday people.
Our corporate social responsibility and positive community impact, as well as our entrepreneurial spirit and transparent business activities, make Africell the ideal mobile network provider for Africa’s future.
