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Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Iran, His Excellency Salamu Koroma, has encouraged Iranian investors to invest in his country’s agricultural sector, emphasizing its vital role in economic growth and food security.
Speaking at the inaugural Iran-Africa Investment and Trade Summit in Kish-Island, Ambassador Koroma urged Iranian investors to explore Sierra Leone’s vast agricultural potential, highlighting the urgent need for mechanization, infrastructure, and technology transfer.
Representing Sierra Leone, Ambassador Koroma expressed gratitude to the Iranian hosts, emphasizing the need for deeper cooperation beyond diplomatic talks, acknowledging that.
“Iran has the potential to support Africa’s economic rise”. The Ambassador added that “As Africans, we seek to rewrite our history based on mutual respect and shared prosperity”.
The Ambassador also noted that: “Africa recognizes Iran as a reliable and trustworthy business partner, and we urge Iranian investors to establish a stronger presence on the continent.”
Ambassador Koroma called for increased bilateral exchanges and media engagements to reshape global perceptions of Iran, advocating for direct interactions between African and Iranian businesses to counter negative portrayals in international media.
During a specialized panel on agriculture, Ambassador Koroma outlined Sierra Leone’s vast investment opportunities in the sector. He noted that 70% of Sierra Leone’s population relies on agriculture, contributing approximately 29% to the country’s GDP. However, he pointed out that most farming is done by smallholder farmers who struggle to produce enough food even for their families.
“Sierra Leone has an abundance of fertile land that remains underutilized,” he stated. “We produce a variety of crops, with rice being our staple food. Yet, we face significant challenges, particularly in mechanization and food processing, which limit our ability to compete in regional and global markets.”
During the course of the summit which provided a platform for African diplomats and business leaders to engage directly with Iranian investors, fostering new partnerships across multiple sectors, Ambassador Koroma held one-on-one discussions with key Iranian business figures. A number of these business figures expressed interest in entering the Sierra Leonean market.
The summit, organized by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leading investment institutions, aims to strengthen trade ties between Iran and African nations. Discussions focused on key sectors such as energy, agriculture, education, mining, and technology, with Iran expressing a strong interest in expanding its economic footprint across Africa.
