In a strategic move to attract international investment to its energy and water sectors, Sierra Leone’s National Investment Board (NIB), in collaboration with the Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA) and the UK International Development, hosted an investment roundtable at the New Brookfields Hotel.

The high-profile event convened government leaders, international investors, and development finance institutions (DFIs) to present a promising investment landscape for Sierra Leone.

Dr. Edward Hinga Sandi, Executive Director of NIB, highlighted the nation’s efforts to foster a favorable investment environment, pointing to critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, water, and infrastructure. Agriculture, in particular, was underscored as a key area with potential for export growth and national self-sufficiency. Dr. Sandi noted Sierra Leone’s abundant natural resources, including diamonds and iron ore, and advantageous trade agreements with ECOWAS, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the EU, which open markets for investors.

The roundtable focused on investment needs within Sierra Leone’s energy and water sectors, with Dr. Sandi referencing renewable energy initiatives and collaborations like the West African Power Pool as steps toward bolstering infrastructure. He also highlighted recent reforms, including a new national arbitration law and improved collateral systems, designed to protect and encourage investment.

Alex Kurcharski from ARIA emphasized the organization’s commitment to Sierra Leone, noting recent investments by ARIA partners, British International Investment and Proparco, in local businesses. He pointed to ongoing efforts by Valerie, ARIA’s Resident Representative, as evidence of sustained dedication, adding that this was ARIA’s fifth visit to Freetown within two years.

Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED) Kenyeh Barlay discussed Sierra Leone’s ambition to achieve middle-income status by 2039. She introduced the “Big Five Game Changers” initiative, led by President Julius Maada Bio, which focuses on job creation, infrastructure, and economic growth, supported by ongoing collaborations with the Energy and Water Ministries.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Max-Kyne, presented her Ministry’s roadmap for the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, stressing the need for private sector investment. She detailed the roadmap’s focus on addressing immediate water needs, which are tightly linked to health and education, and therefore integral to Sierra Leone’s development goals.

Deputy Minister of Energy Dr. Eldred Taylor highlighted the government’s renewable energy focus, noting President Bio’s Just Energy Transition and Green Goal Plan as guiding frameworks to advance the nation’s energy goals and support climate objectives. He pointed to three priority renewable energy projects currently in the pipeline.

The event encouraged dialogue around policies and regulatory frameworks crucial to sustainable infrastructure development, with presentations from the Ministries of Energy and Water Resources and Sanitation providing investors with a comprehensive view of current project opportunities. Participants expressed strong support for initiatives aligned with Sierra Leone’s “Big Five Game Changers” strategy, a foundation for the country’s vision of robust and sustainable economic growth.