Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio has has sent a high level delegation led by Cabinet Ministers to a four day Africa-US Business Summit held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The summit is an effort by U.S. and African partners to recover from the negative impact of Covid-19 on Health and on Economies.

The Summit also provided an excellent opportunity that explored the U.S and African public and private sectors; renewed commitments to building stronger economic ties, expanding and deepening the U.S.-Africa trade, investment and business relationship.

After six years of operation, Africa50 has become a key player in attracting infrastructural investment on a commercial basis in Africa, to bridge the US$108 billion infrastructure gap.

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Following the opening ceremony, Africa50 stakeholders gathered for a closed working session where they reviewed Africa50’s activities over the past years, approved financial reports and discussed long-term strategies with management.

It comes at a crucial time, especially when the continent, including a country like Sierra Leone, faces unprecedented external economic shocks and is recovering from the covid-19 pandemic. This summit, as described by many, is in line with President Bio’s visions towards achieving sustainable development in Sierra Leone.

During the summit, there were calls for strong innovative and bold responses to accelerate the recovery while driving forward climate-resilient and sustainable growth in Africa.

It was made clear that infrastructural development is the main platform for Africa50 and with the support of its partners, Africa’s readiness to scale up investment to fast-track the delivery of transformational projects on the continent were part of the subjects comprehensively dealt with.

Additionally, it was established during the summit that the private sector has a critical role to play in solving Africa’s greatest challenges, particularly those related to energy, food security, education, health and digital transformation.

Significant progress was made by the Sierra Leonean delegation in bridging the gap with stakeholders to support the sustainable financing of the country’s existing infrastructure and bankable projects through the Asset Recycling program of Africa50, an innovative financing arrangement that secures private equity funding.

According to the Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Finance Hon. Bockarie Kalokoh, the focus of the two meetings- Africa50 GSM and US-Africa Business Forum in Marakesh, Morocco was essentially to expand business opportunities and engagement across the continent on a broad range of sectors which includes financing, infrastructure, climate, energy security, agricultural transformation, investing in women, health outcomes and economic integration.

However, seeking workable solutions to business challenges and opportunities placed under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in partnership with the African Development Bank, Africa50 and Corporate Council on Africa was attended by stakeholders, US government delegation, African ministers and decision-makers from the largest US multi-nationals and the African Business Community.

According to King Mohamed V1, Sierra Leone’s presence at the summit is to comprehend, leverage and build new partnerships, explore new opportunities and deepens more collaboration with African partners like African Development Bank, Africa50 and Corporate Council on Africa (CCA).

A closed-door discussion of the Deputy Minister of Finance Bockarie Kalokoh with the Chief Executive Officer of Africa50, Alain Ebobisse revealed positive signs that the Bumbuna Hydro would be among the assets likewise the water project in Kissy, Freetown.

Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobisse said the use of private investment or Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is more crucial than ever, as it will allow public funds to be allocated in priority to investments that do not attract much interest from the private sector.

The summit stands to compliment President Bio’s strides in transforming Sierra Leone in every facet which has been his focus and based on the deliberations between the CEO of Africa50 and Sierra Leonean delegates, progress is sure to be made, as Sierra Leone is now at the apex of consideration.

Credit: Aminaash N.N. Brima
Information Attache
Rabat, Morocco