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Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has officially announced her intention to seek the flagbearership of the All People’s Congress (APC) for the 2028 presidential election, outlining a platform centered on revitalizing Sierra Leone’s private sector.
Speaking in an interview with Liberty TV Online on January 12, Aki-Sawyerr argued that the private sector is the primary driver of job creation and economic progress, stating that entrepreneurs, farmers, and traders are key to the nation’s prosperity.
“Across the world, nations that have successfully lifted millions out of poverty did so by unleashing the creativity and resilience of their people. Sierra Leone is no different,” Aki-Sawyerr said.
The Mayor criticized current government policies, citing overregulation, inconsistent taxation, and limited access to credit as barriers that have discouraged investment and forced business closures. She contended that reversing these trends is essential for sustainable growth.
To reverse this trend, Aki-Sawyerr proposed a four-pillar strategy: expanding affordable credit for small businesses, streamlining regulations to cut red tape, supporting innovation in technology and agritech, and boosting vocational and entrepreneurial skills training for youth.
While acknowledging the role of foreign investment, she emphasised that it must complement, not replace, strong domestic enterprise. “By empowering Sierra Leoneans to innovate and invest in their own communities, we reduce dependency and build resilience against external shocks,” she explained.
As she begins her bid for the presidency, Aki-Sawyerr pledged to champion this economic vision, concluding, “Together, we can restore Sierra Leone to a path of sustainable growth, driven by the ingenuity and determination of its people.”
Iyvon can not even handle Freetown problems as a small segment of the country is here looking for the greatest problems. My personal advice to her is to let her return to London and enjoy the stolen money from FCC.