Chidi Blyden Urges Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora to Unite for Investment Growth

Chidi Blyden, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Millenium Challenge Corporation, called on Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to unite and leverage their collective strength to boost investment in Sierra Leone. 

Blyden made this appeal at the 2024 Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference (SLDIC), held on October 19, 2024 at Gaithersburg, Maryland. 

The conference brought together experts from business, policy-making, and other sectors to explore ways for enhancing investment in Sierra Leone. In her address, Blyden emphasized the need for unity and action, encouraging Sierra Leoneans abroad to engage, invest, and drive change in their home country.

How the Sierra Leonean Diaspora has Contributed to the American Economy 

There is huge number of Sierra Leoneans living abroad, and the U.S has the largest number of Sierra Leonean in the Diaspora.

Sierra Leoneans living abroad are estimated to number around 336,000. In the United States specifically, the Sierra Leonean diaspora amounted to approximately 31,000 individuals, defined as those who were born in Sierra Leone and subsequently migrated to the United States.

Sierra Leonean diaspora contributions to the American economy extend far beyond financial support and remittances, the experiences of the African diaspora enable significant contributions across various sectors within the United States and the broader global community.

Leon Rouge Management Consulting, Koto LLC, DJ Solomon Fatoma, Solo Beats,, who is developing music, but conscious music that is providing a message to children and to our youth. Memunatu Magazine, which encourages girls and youth to not just read, but also to get involved in the civic processes of whether they’re local government or their country politics, and they start at the middle school level.

“Our value transcends mere monetary contributions; we bring a wealth of resources, including human capital, knowledge, talent, a vibrant youth demographic, insights gained from our experiences abroad, and expertise in international business.” 

“When these resources are harnessed collectively, they can create a formidable impact. Sierra Leoneans are actively engaged in a wide array of endeavors,” said Blyden.

There is huge number of Sierra Leoneans living abroad, and the U.S has the largest number of Sierra Leonean in the Diaspora.

She also shared captivating statistics of underscoring the diaspora’s economic influence, with African immigrants contributing billions in their home countries. She noted how diasporas are not only impacting America’s economy but have the potential to drive transformative growth back home. She described the African spending power as a key force that could boost investment in Sierra Leone.

While financial contributions are crucial, Blyden emphasized that the diaspora offers much more. She spoke about the wealth of human capital, knowledge, and talent Sierra Leoneans bring from sectors like academia, healthcare, and technology. She urged attendees to leverage these resources through mentorship, in-kind support, and establishing businesses that create sustainable employment and instill a sense of pride in Sierra Leonean youths.

“Our diaspora contribution goes beyond dollars and remittance,” said Blyden.

“We have something richer than money. We have other resources, human capital, information resources, talent, a youth population, lessons learned from our time abroad, and International Business know-how. All these resources when collectively employed can be extremely powerful,” she further explained.

Blyden called on Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora to be part of the decision making in the country. She gave an example of  Cape Verde, a country in Africa, where the Diaspora is part of the decision making in the country.

“One of the best examples I’ve seen of this is in Cape Verde. Two members of the Cape Verdean Parliament are elected directly by the diaspora communities in the Americas because the businesses and diaspora remittances and influences from the diaspora are powerful enough to help sway the political behavior in the country on the ground.” 

“When you visit Sierra Leone, commit to doing one thing that helps a school, an organization, an institution outside of your typical work that you do give back something for free,” she added.  

Chidi Blyden, encourages Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora to contribute and inculcate the habit of giving back to the country.

She called on all Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora to concentrate on both Sierra Leone and the United States “I come from a family of educators,” she said.. “Be informed and educated.”  “What’s going on in your two homes, Sierra Leone and America, you need to know what is happening on both sides of the pond,” she added.

Chidi Blyden at the SLDIC 2024

Blyden Calls on Diaspora to Build Lasting Legacies in Sierra Leone 

Blyden also encouraged Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to leverage US resources to uplift communities back home.

Highlighting initiatives like Faux Fitness in Virginia and Memonati Magazine, Blyden illustrated how businesses and NGOs create educational and economic opportunities for young Sierra Leoneans. 

These connections, she suggested, can instill pride and create enduring legacies for generations. 

She also emphasized direct engagement, urging the diaspora to learn from local communities and support grassroot initiatives. 

She shared family examples of giving back, from her uncle Chief Blyden’s “Farm to Pot” projects to her aunt, Dr. Nimata Blyden’s educational lectures, underscoring the transformative power of personal involvement. 

Ending her speech with the question, “Are you up to the challenge?” Blyden urged attendees to take actionable steps toward shaping Sierra Leone’s future. She called on the diaspora to unify and build a Sierra Leone that embodies hope, resilience, and progress across Africa.

About Chidi Blyden

Chidi Blyden is an American foreign policy advisor who serves as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. 

Previously, Blyden was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs and has held various roles, honing her policy, national security, and practitioner skills throughout her career in the government, academia, and non-profit sectors.

Ms. Blyden joined MCC after serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, where she oversaw the Department of Defense’s engagement with 53 African countries. 

Throughout her career in government, academia, and the nonprofit sector, she has taken on various roles that have sharpened her expertise in policy, national security, and practical applications. 

As a recognized expert and socio-cultural advisor, Ms. Blyden specializes in Africa’s conflicts, security, and development challenges. Her efforts have emphasized the significance of cultural considerations in shaping policies and community-focused strategies to address security issues in African nations.

Additionally, she was the inaugural Africa Director at the Center for Civilians in Conflict, where she spearheaded the development and execution of culturally tailored training for the Nigerian Armed Forces regarding civilian protection.

Chidi Blyden at the SLDIC 2024

What is the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference (SLDIC) 2024

SLDIC 2024 marked the second iteration of this significant event. 

This one-day gathering attracted over 200 leaders from various sectors, including business, investment, finance, policy, and development, all focused on promoting economic growth in Sierra Leone. It was recognized as the largest assembly of Sierra Leonean-American entrepreneurs, investors, and change agents in North America. 

The lineup of speakers was remarkable, showcasing individuals with both international and local leadership experience, both domestically and abroad. Panelists from a range of industries provided valuable insights into policy, innovation, and entrepreneurship, aiming to foster meaningful discussions. 

The conference received sponsorship from Leonoil, DT Global, and VR&C Marketing. 

The event was dedicated to enhancing connections between Sierra Leone and its diaspora, encouraging collaboration and investment, and is expected to take place again next year.

DONE BY: DAVID BANGURA.