By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a glowing recognition of Sierra Leone’s rising economic stature, FORBES AFRICA, in its Africa Undiscovered Series, spotlighted the nation as a promising investment destination, positioning it as an emerging regional economic powerhouse. Central to this transformation, the magazine identified Mahesh Nandwani, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pee Cee Holding Ltd, as a pivotal figure spearheading the country’s industrial and agricultural revitalization.
According to FORBES AFRICA, with the Government of Sierra Leone creating an enabling environment for business and investment, the country is now “open for business.” Against this dynamic backdrop, the publication highlighted Mahesh Nandwani’s entrepreneurial prowess, describing him as a symbol of innovation and transformation, having grown Pee Cee Holding Ltd from modest beginnings into a diversified conglomerate that is contributing significantly to the national economy.
“There’s a huge market here; why import when you can manufacture locally?” Mahesh Nandwani told FORBES AFRICA. “The demand is high, the land is fertile and the opportunities in agriculture and industry are vast.”
The magazine traced the origins of the company back to 1965, when it was founded as Pee Cee & Sons with a single retail outlet in Freetown. It continued that over the decades, the enterprise expanded throughout West Africa, including Liberia, Guinea and Senegal, evolving into a reputable force in both distribution and manufacturing. Today, FORBES AFRICA noted, Pee Cee Holding Ltd oversees six thriving subsidiaries, each playing a vital role in regional trade, industrialization and job creation.
The Magazine further revealed that under Mahesh Nandwani’s leadership, the company made a strategic shift from relying on imports to producing locally; a move that has fortified the country’s supply chain and supported national development. “Whatever we can make or grow in Sierra Leone, I believed we should,” Mahesh Nandwani was quoted as saying.
One of the most notable ventures under Pee Cee Holding Ltd, FORBES AFRICA reported, is Jolaks Manufacturing; the largest palm oil refinery in the Mano River Union. Processing 9,000 metric tons of crude palm oil monthly, Jolaks has substantially decreased the nation’s reliance on imported vegetable oil from countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. The Magazine further disclosed that the refinery now satisfies domestic demand while exporting to countries such as Senegal, Ghana, Liberia and Mali.
“This factory has become a source of national pride,” Mahesh Nandwani told FORBES AFRICA. “It contributes to macroeconomic stability, manufacturing, employment and downstream industries like soap production.”
FORBES AFRICA emphasized that the refinery’s value chain development, which includes byproducts like stearin and Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD), is a testament to Pee Cee Holding’s commitment to a holistic industrial ecosystem.
The Magazine spotlighted another key subsidiary, Pee Cee Agriculture Ltd, located at Mathen Village in Lokomasama. The farm spans 646 hectares and is fully mechanized. It is currently cultivating 75 to 80 hectares of onions, a commodity heavily imported by Sierra Leone. According to FORBES AFRICA, the farm plays an essential role in national food security.
In April 2024, the article continued, President Julius Maada Bio visited the site to mark the official onion harvest and expressed his appreciation for the company’s substantial contributions. The magazine added that there are ongoing plans to diversify into other high-demand crops such as maize and Irish potatoes, alongside the recruitment and training of agricultural graduates to sustain operations.
“Agriculture is not just about planting crops,” Mahesh Nandwani explained to FORBES AFRICA. “It’s about integrating soil health, climate adaptation, value chains and skilled manpower.”
Beyond agriculture and palm oil, FORBES AFRICA reported that Pee Cee Holding Ltd has also ventured into plastics manufacturing through Milla Group S.L. Ltd. Originally launched as part of a post-war water access initiative, the company now produces essential items such as water tanks and PVC pipes, critical infrastructure components for national development.
The publication also noted the company’s move into consumer goods, specifically the local production of Padi seasoning cubes. “Now we’re packaging it here in Cline Town,” Mahesh Nandwani said in the article, underscoring the benefits of local production such as job creation and cost efficiency.
Looking ahead, FORBES AFRICA revealed that the company has ambitious expansion plans. These include growing its agricultural footprint to 500 hectares, forging regional partnerships in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea and launching a centralized investment hub in Cline Town by mid-2025. Strategically situated near the port, the hub is expected to streamline storage, sales and distribution both within Sierra Leone and across borders.
The magazine recalled that during the global disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pee Cee Holding Ltd managed to turn adversity into opportunity. By aligning its operations with the Government’s Feed Salone initiative, the company reinforced its role as a reliable national development partner.
“Businesses succeed best in thriving societies,” Mahesh Nandwani told FORBES AFRICA. “Every investment in local capacity building is also an investment in our future.”
FORBES AFRICA concluded that Pee Cee Holding Ltd, under Mahesh Nandwani’s strategic leadership, offers a compelling model of sustainable, self-reliant growth that is positioning Sierra Leone as a formidable player in African industrialization.
“I encourage investors to explore agriculture and industry here,” Mahesh Nandwani urged in his interview with FORBES AFRICA. “The potential is massive; from fertile land to a growing market hungry for locally made products. The time to invest in Sierra Leone is now.”
With strategic foresight, a focus on local production and a deep commitment to national development, FORBES AFRICA stated that Pee Cee Holding Ltd is helping write a powerful new economic story; one that affirms Sierra Leone’s place as a rising star in Africa’s industrial future.
