The Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference (SLDIC) 2024 returned on October 19th, 2024 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Gaithersburg, Maryland. 

The one-day event  gathered key players from Sierra Leone and the diaspora to explore growth opportunities. Participants included business, finance, policy, and development leaders committed to Sierra Leone’s economic growth. 

The conference aimed to foster investment and collaboration through discussions on Sierra Leone’s economic potential. It highlighted the importance of diaspora engagement and showcased promising avenues for sustainable investment in Sierra Leone. 

Participants at the conference

A Glimpse into the 2024 Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference

SLDIC 2024 attracted a diverse audience from the Sierra Leone diaspora and key stakeholders worldwide.The event featured keynote addresses and panel discussions, providing an engaging platform for participants to explore new contributions to Sierra Leone’s growth.

The conference opened with the Sierra Leone national anthem played by saxophonist Reginald Thompson from the Freetown Uncut Band. Hosts Sarran Jabbie Jalloh and Hamid Marah who carried the event seamlessly. 

Abu B. Yillah captivated the audience with his nostalgic poetry, evoking memories of Sierra Leone and the warmth of home cooking. 

Abu B. Yillah performing his original poetry at the conference

In her opening address, Vickie Remoe, the lead organizer for the conference, spoke about the role of diasporans in shaping Sierra Leone. She shared her experience of living in Accra, Ghana for a decade. 

Vickie Remoe speaking at SLDIC 2024

Remoe often compared Ghana’s development to Sierra Leone and felt Ghana was far ahead. A friend reminded her that 20 years ago, Ghana faced similar challenges as Sierra Leone. The Ghanaian diaspora played a significant role in the country’s development. 

She realized that for Sierra Leone to progress, the diaspora must contribute to making it the country they envision.

“Sierra Leone in many ways isn’t what we want it to be. But in most of the countries I’ve lived in and liked, it has inspired me to want to make Sierra Leone more of what I want it to be,” she said. 

After her address, the panel discussions began. In the middle of the sessions, Drizilik gave a high-energy performance to entertain the audience. The panel discussions resumed afterwards, leading to the final session.

Drizilik performing at SLDIC 2024

The event included a small business showcase featuring various vendors. 

They include Etsu Delight, a Sierra Leonean agribusiness that transforms local products to healthy food and beverages. Fashion One Incubation Hub Ltd., one of Sierra Leone’s leading tailoring companies also participated.

Leadremit, a platform that offers the most secure way to send money to Sierra Leone was also represented at the conference. Exodus Trust Commodity Investment Ltd, which  promotes sustainable development and public health in Sierra Leone also exhibited. 

TPGroup, specializing in IT, POYO, a palm wine producer, and DotBleu which simplifies shipping between the USA to Sierra Leone, were also present.  

The programme ended with Remoe thanking the sponsors and partners including headline sponsor Leonoil, the planning committee, the VR&C Marketing teams in Ghana and Sierra Leone, and Kadisha Conteh, her DMV-based virtual assistant. 

The event was a remarkable success, bringing together some of the most influential leaders in business, finance, policy, and development. These changemakers, deeply committed to Sierra Leone’s economic growth, shared valuable insights to inspire and drive the nation’s progress. 

Reginald Thompson playing the Sierra Leone and US national anthem on the saxophone

Hosts Hamid Marah (L) and Sarran Jabbie Jalloh (R)

Guest trying out palm wine at the POYO stand

Highlighting the Changemakers at the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference

The conference received generous support from the headline sponsors Leonoil, DT Global, and VR&C Marketing. Additional support came from Sierra Eye Magazine and News, Jobomax Homes, Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project, and Gleaner.

This year’s keynote speakers were Victor Williams, Managing Partner of Lions Range Group and Chidi Blyden, an influential American Foreign Policy Expert at DCEO MCC. They both delivered insightful addresses on Sierra Leone’s economic potential.

Adding to the lineup of changemakers was Martin Micheal, CEO of Mercury International, who served as a guest speaker offering a unique perspective to Sierra Leone’s growth. 

Five panels were featured at the conference, each covering different topics. 

The first panel, sponsored by DT Global, was moderated by Marah. The discussion was titled, “If You Build It, They Will Come: Creating an Enabling Business Environment for Investment and Competitiveness.” It featured Alhaji Siraj Bah, CEO of Rugsal Trading, Salton Massally, CTO of Mikashboks, Mary Jalloh, Project Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project, and Dr. Rose Mary Garcia, Lead Economist at DT Global.

Panelists; Mary Jalloh (far left), Dr. Rose Mary Garcia (L), Hamid Marah (right), Salton Massally (far right)

VR&C Marketing sponsored the second panel, moderated by multimedia journalist Lamrana Bah. The topic was “Prosper Sierra Leone-Connecting the Dots on Diaspora Engagement & Economic Growth.” Panelists included Alexious Butler, Mission Director for USAID Sierra Leone and Guinea, Daniel Koroma, Business Liaison Officer for the Montgomery Board of Elections, and Vickie Remoe, Communications and Digital Strategist at VR&C Marketing. 

Panelists; Vickie Remoe (far left), Alexious Butler (L), Daniel Koroma (R), Lamrana Bah (far right)

Dotbleu sponsored the next panel which explored the theme, “Born in Sierra Leone, Made it in America: Diaspora Entrepreneurs’ Recipes for Success.” Panelists included Carmena Ayo-Davies, CEO of 3bg Marketing Solutions, Chris Bickersteth, CEO of Koto LLC, and Desmond Ellis, CEO of Dotbleu. Sherifa Fofanah, Sustainability and Urban Development Specialist, moderated the session. 

Panelists; Carmena Ayo-Davies (L), Desmond Ellis(R) and Sherifa Fofanah

Jobomax Homes sponsored the fourth panel, which focused on the theme, “Start Small, Grow Big: Essential Resources for African Entrepreneurs in the Diaspora.” Robert Hornsby, CEO of Jobomax Homes, moderated the panel. Panelists included Florence Freeman, entrepreneur and Business coach for SCORE, Libo Suen, Marketing and Outreach Team Manager for the Washington Metropolitan Area District Office (WMADO) and Wala Blegay, Councilmember for  Prince George’s County, District 6. 

Panelists; Wala Blegay (far left), Florence Freeman (L), Robert Hornsby (R), Keith Williams Jr (far right)

Leonoil sponsored the final panel which discussed, “Rebranding Sierra Leone: Leveraging Brands, Tourism, and Soft Power to Attract Global Investment.” The panelists included Desiree Younge, Global Cross Sector Impact Executive at Conscious Catalyst Group, Dana Labor, Co-Founder of the Africaribbean Festival and Abu Kamara, CEO of Bluewave Exports.

Panelists; Abu Akamara (L), Desiree Younge (R) and Dana Labor

These changemakers shared their expertise and inspired the audience to drive economic growth to bring positive change to Sierra Leone.

Keynote speaker, Victor Williams shares his insights and calls the diaspora to focus on long term investments to create jobs for Sierra Leone’s youth

Morning keynote speaker, Chidi Blyden

Guest speaker, Martin Michael, encourages the diaspora to look beyond politics to investment

Unlocking Investment and Growth Opportunities

SLDIC provided a platform to explore and identify key investment opportunities in Sierra Leone. Panelists and speakers shared insights into different sectors with high potential such as real estate, agriculture, and SMEs.

Speaker, Martin Micheal emphasized the importance of creating a favorable business environment in Sierra Leone to attract local and international investors. Discussions also included fostering technology to stimulate sustainable development. 

A re-occuring theme was the role of the Sierra Leone diaspora. Participants were encouraged to invest back in the country either through capital, expertise, or networks, to drive economic progress.

Opportunities for collaboration between public and private sectors were also highlighted, with panelists urging for supportive policies that encourage entrepreneurship and innovation. 

Discussions on the development of human capital also took place. Speakers stressed the importance of education, skill training, to prepare a capable workforce that can support the country’s economic growth. 

Some guests at the conference

Guests Martin Michael (L) & Abu B. Yillah (R) at SLDIC 2024

The Future of the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference

SLDIC is an annual event, dedicated to bringing together top minds to inspire and invest in Sierra Leone’s progress. The public is encouraged to look forward to next year’s event.

There is interest in hosting the conference in the UK. Sierra Leoneans in the UK can contact Vickie Remoe via email to share ideas and resources to help make it possible.

Attendees are urged to invest in Sierra Leonean, whether through SMEs, real estate, or agriculture. Investing in human capital remains equally important as human capital is the driving force that can boost any economy. 

To catch a recap of the SLDIC, click here.  

Some guests at SLDIC 2024