Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, engaged with Trade and Investment Agencies at the U.S. Government Roundtable on Trade and Investment held in Washington D.C. on Friday, September 19, 2024. The event aimed to deepen economic collaboration between Sierra Leone and the United States, providing a platform for Sierra Leone to showcase its reform agenda and explore new opportunities for private-sector investment.
In his opening remarks, President Bio expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for organizing the roundtable and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with the United States. He emphasized that enhanced collaboration in trade and investment is vital for driving inclusive growth and fostering shared prosperity.
The President outlined his government’s priorities, focusing on governance, infrastructure development, and human capital. He highlighted successes in improving transparency and combating corruption, positioning Sierra Leone as an attractive destination for global investors. Significant investments in energy, roads, and ports have been central to transforming Sierra Leone into a regional trade hub.
Addressing challenges within Sierra Leone’s energy sector, President Bio stressed the necessity of increasing access to energy and boosting generation capacity for economic transformation. He recognized the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact as a pivotal project supporting the expansion of the energy transmission backbone and essential reforms within the sector.
Agriculture also emerged as a key focus area during the discussions. President Bio underscored the importance of private-sector-driven food production, highlighting Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone Programme targeting key value chains such as rice, cocoa, and coffee. “This initiative aims to reduce poverty through sustainable agricultural development,” he stated.
The President called for U.S. investments in research, mechanization, and infrastructure to bolster the agricultural sector and enhance export potential under initiatives like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Concluding his remarks, President Bio reiterated Sierra Leone’s commitment to fostering deeper cooperation with the United States in pursuit of shared prosperity. He assured U.S. businesses and investors of a welcoming investment environment and pledged ongoing efforts to create a more transparent, stable, and prosperous economy.
The roundtable marks a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between both nations looking to leverage private-sector partnerships for sustainable development.
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