With established peace and economic stability 12 years after its civil war, Sierra Leone has turned to Nigerian entrepreneurs for investments necessary to fast-track the country’s developmental process.
In its investment drive, the country’s investment and promotion council last week in Lagos held an investors’ outreach where the country’s government representatives enticed Nigerian technocrats, industrialists and captains of industry present with investment opportunities available in Sierra Leone.
They presented impressive statistics of opportunities in agriculture, marine, electricity and other sectors and also economic growth of 13.3 percent in 2013 and available security in the country to encourage Nigerians for investment.
According to the speakers, Sierra Leone economy has witnessed tremendous growth in various sectors post-conflict and the government is building on the success.
In his remarks, Henry Macauley, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Nigeria, said his country has succeeded in a relatively short time from the past and seen unprecedented growth in all sectors climbing almost double digits in all economic and social indices.
He said Sierra Leone believes that since “Nigeria was key to Sierra Leone peace and democracy, Nigeria should be the first beneficiary of the country’s success. This is why Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) is wooing Nigerians to invest in the country”.
According to him, such investments will deepen and increase the relationship beOBItween the two countries and this will create jobs, provide physical and human security and enhance the two countries’ economic development.
Emmanuel Adeniji, the vice president of Nigerian/Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce who was hopeful of increasing investments by Nigerians in Sierra Leone said at the forum that some Nigerian firms like Emzor Pharmaceuticals have invested and some are taking decisions of investing in the country.
Describing Sierra Leone as Africa’s new investment destination, Usman Boie Kamara, Sierra Leone minister of trade and industry, said no country is attractive to investment just because it has abundant natural resources. A country has to be investor-friendly to attract investment and be open to business and provide protection to investors and also offer possibilities to investors who will choose it over other countries.
Daniel Obi
