Washington D.C., United States, September 19, 2024 – Sierra Leone’s President, H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, participated in a productive engagement with U.S. Trade and Investment Agencies at the U.S. Government Roundtable on Trade and Investment, aimed at deepening economic collaboration between the two nations. This high-level meeting provided a platform for Sierra Leone to showcase its reform agenda and explore new private-sector investment opportunities.
In his opening remarks, President Bio expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for organizing the event and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with the United States. He highlighted the importance of trade and investment in driving inclusive growth and fostering shared prosperity.
President Bio outlined his government’s priorities, focusing on governance, infrastructure development, and human capital investment. He emphasized ongoing efforts to improve transparency and combat corruption, making Sierra Leone an attractive destination for global investors. Highlighting significant investments in energy, roads, and ports, he described Sierra Leone’s vision of becoming a regional trade hub.
Addressing the country’s energy sector challenges, President Bio emphasized the need for increased access to energy and expanded generation capacity to drive economic transformation. He praised the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact for its role in supporting energy transmission and essential sector reforms.
Agriculture was a key focus of the discussions, with President Bio underscoring the importance of private-sector-driven food production through Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone Programme, which targets value chains like rice, cocoa, and coffee. He called for U.S. investment in research, mechanization, and infrastructure to strengthen the sector and enhance export potential, particularly under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
In closing, President Bio reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to deeper economic cooperation with the United States, ensuring a welcoming environment for U.S. businesses and investors. The roundtable marks a pivotal step in bolstering the economic ties between Sierra Leone and the U.S., with both nations looking to leverage private-sector partnerships for sustainable development.
