UK-Based Group Supports Sierra Leonean SMEs to Access Grants and Investment

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Last updated: 2025/10/10 at 1:49 PM

By Sallu Kamuskay - Journalist and Public Relations Expert Published October 10, 2025 3 Min Read

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UK-Based Group Supports Sierra Leonean SMEs to Access Grants and Investment

Joevas Asare, Managing Director of ARK Group International, believes Sierra Leone’s private sector holds huge potential to drive economic growth. Speaking during an interview at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, where he is currently visiting to explore opportunities and connect with the private sector and other key sectors, Joevas explained how his organization is helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) bridge the funding gap through “blended finance.”

ARK Group International is based in London and operates in seven African countries. The organization focuses on what Joevas calls “the missing middle.” These are promising businesses that are too large for microfinance but too small to attract big investors. “Our mission is to support companies in this middle space to access the funding and investment they need to grow,” he told Salone Messenger.

To achieve this, the organization uses blended finance — a model that brings together different types of investors and funders who have different priorities. For example, some funders focus on impact and provide grants, while others focus on financial returns. ARK Group connects both groups to support SMEs. “We help companies access grants, and then use that to build their profile and attract private investment,” Joevas explained.

He also sees the diaspora community as an important partner in SME growth. Diaspora investors, he said, often have a personal connection to Sierra Leone and are willing to take a more flexible approach when supporting businesses. “They might see something that’s not perfect, but because of their connection, they’re willing to invest and help it grow,” he added.

However, one of the biggest challenges SMEs face is the information gap. Many businesses are unaware of available grants, while funders struggle to reach potential applicants. To address this, ARK Group has created a free grants database where businesses can browse opportunities by sector and location. For those who need extra help, the organization offers a partnership programme that pairs SMEs with trained bid writers — often graduates from top universities like Oxford and LSE — to help them submit strong applications.

Joevas advised entrepreneurs to focus on their vision and growth, not just funding. “Your job is to grow your business. Don’t get lost chasing funding alone. Strong, credible businesses attract the right partners,” he said.

He sees Sierra Leone as a country with untapped opportunities. “Every country has its challenges, but Sierra Leone has space for innovation and private sector growth. We want to be part of that ecosystem,” he concluded.

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By Sallu Kamuskay Journalist and Public Relations Expert

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Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions. Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future. At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy. Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone. Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth. Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone. Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns. Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more. Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception. Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change. Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development. Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa. Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms. Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities. Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father's death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support. The article of America Stress can be read on the link below http://ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/k2-categories/item/7350-america-stress-a-hero-to-recognize. Sallu Kamuskay feels the stories of Gbessay, America stress and that of many others need to be told. The media house we have cannot better tell these stories, they are better reporters than telling human interest stories. He created the Salone Messenger platform and brought together passionate storytellers to be able to tell these compelling stories.