Invest Sierra Leone, 2017 was held on the 20th November in London. This is the only annual forum focused on investment in Sierra Leone. It is endorsed by SLIEPA and is a collaboration between the leading global law firm – Herbert Smith Freehills, and Insight magazine – Sierra Leone’s only dedicated business and investment publication. The second Forum was held in May 2016 at Herbert Smith Freehills’ offices in London and also chaired by David Lammy MP. It attracted an audience of over 250 Participants.
Under the theme ‘Investment in Sierra Leone – a tradition of innovation’, Invest Sierra Leone 2017 raised awareness about both traditional and newer investment opportunities, discussed innovative financing approaches, and facilitated investment and business partnerships.
Key Speakers included: Dr. Samura Kamara, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, Minister of Justice and Attorney- General, and Mr. Farrel Elliott, Director of Investment Promotion, SLIEPA, who emphasized on the economic diversification and innovative approaches to investment in which the potential of young people would be harnessed and technology leveraged.. The Forum was climaxed with a presentation by Dr. Sanpha Koroma, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Union Trust Bank, during which he announced about a $5M lending scheme now available at his bank for SME development focusing mainly in Agriculture and Women entrepreneurs.