The 2025 Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference Was a Success

On Friday, August 8th, 2025, the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference (SLDIC) returned for its third year and it delivered! Over 200 influential leaders from diverse fields gathered at the Silver Spring Civic Centre in Maryland for a day of networking, strategy, solutions, and connections.

Now established as the premier platform for Sierra Leonean and American professionals, investors, and changemakers, the 2025 SLDIC united participants around one goal: to drive inclusive and sustainable growth in Sierra Leone.

Guided by the theme: “Preparing Diaspora Investors for Success Amidst Political and Economic Flux,” this year’s conference equipped attendees with practical tools, investment-ready insights, and proven strategies for navigating complex markets.

The day was power-packed from strategic conversations and real-world success stories to networking moments that sparked new partnerships. With a speaker lineup blending international expertise and local leadership, the 2025 SLDIC proved once again that the diaspora is not just a stakeholder in Sierra Leone’s future, but a driving force.

Vickie Remoe in a picture with Dr. Henry Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security(left) and Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone

A Glimpse into the 2025 Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference

The 2025 SLDIC 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 national anthem played by saxophonist Reginald Thompson from the Freetown Uncut Band. Hosts Daniel Koroma and Mariama Jalloh-Heyward carried the event seamlessly.

A Call to the Sierra Leonean Diaspora: Turning Progressive Ideas into Reality

In her opening address, Vickie Remoe, the Founder and curator of the SLDIC reflected on her own journey from Maryland, where her family rebuilt their life after the Sierra Leone civil war, to becoming a media pioneer and advocate for Sierra Leonean excellence.

Vickie Remoe giving her welcome address

She spoke of the magic created by Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad, from entrepreneurs transforming industries like Alhaji Siraj Bah to innovators like Ami Dumbuya tackling environmental challenges.

Remoe reminded attendees that the diaspora is uniquely positioned to fuel Sierra Leone’s growth, not just with capital, but with skills, networks, and a shared vision.

“It is possible to invest in Salone and see success. If we want to mobilize diaspora resources for Sierra Leone’s progress, we have to show how indigenous Sierra Leoneans are starting, overcoming, and sailing. We have to build a community of doers and shakers with the right mindset, the right values, and a commitment to Sierra Leone,” Remoe said.

Her challenge to the audience was clear: become ambassadors of Sierra Leone in every space, amplify its success stories, and, “make Sierra Leone famous for the right reasons.”

The event included a small business showcase featuring various vendors.

The Light Providers, a black and Sierra Leonean-owned social impact business founded by siblings Ishmael and Naomi Kamara dedicated to illuminating communities, was also present. They displayed wireless lights, portable solar panels, mounts, and accessories designed to provide clean, reliable lighting in places where power is limited or unaffordable.

The Light Providers stand at the 2025 SLDIC

Rok2collection was also present selling their contemporary African fashion brand founded by Roky King Sesay, a proud Sierra Leonean with a deep love for culture and craftsmanship.

Some guests at the Rok2Collection stand at the 2025 SLDIC

Jorjah Moisture, owned by Haja Aminata, displayed their handcrafted perfumes, sprays, lotions, and oils at the event.

A guest at the Jorjah Moisture stand

The Montgomery County Board of Elections was also on-site providing voter registration, candidate services, and public information. Dedicated to ensuring fair, secure, and accessible elections, the Montgomery County Board of Elections plays a vital role in upholding the democratic process in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Julia Douglass from the Montgomery County Board of Elections with Daniel Koroma

The programme ended with Remoe thanking the sponsors and partners including headline sponsor Kolat Brick, the planning committee, the VR&C Marketing teams in Ghana and Sierra Leone.

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

Jemilah Alghali (left), Vickie Remoe (middle), and Drizilik (right) in a picture

Highlighting the Changemakers at the 2025 Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference

The conference received generous support from the headline sponsors from Kolat Brick and VR&C Marketing.

This year’s keynote speakers were Dr. Henry Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Sierra Leone, Zakiatu Swaray-Rowe, CEO of Anzak Tours and Resorts, Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Amb. Amara Sowa, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to America. They all delivered insightful addresses on Sierra Leone’s economic potential.

Adding to the lineup was Michael Owen, the former U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone (2010-2013), who served as a guest speaker offering a unique perspective to U.S.- Sierra Leone relations.

Dr. Henry Kpaka during his keynote address

Zakiatu Swaray-Rowe during her speech

Ambassador Amara Sowa during his keynote address

Dr. Ibrahim Stevens delivering his keynote address on fiscal policy

Four panels were featured at the conference, each covering differnt topics.

The first panel, the Ella Koblo Panel, was moderated by Joe Hotagua. The discussion was titled, “How African Diaspora Entrepreneurs can Secure Funding in Sierra Leone’s Changing Policy Landscape” It featured Marie Harvey, Business Liaison Officer at the Montgomery County Business Center, Gerald Baroudi, Senior Vice President at the Business Finance Group, and Mariama Jalloh-Heyward, Founder of Fintech with MJ.

The Ella Koblo Panel: Joe Hotagua (far left), Gerald Baroudi (L), Mariama Jalloh-Heyward (R), Marie Harvey (far right)

The Tunde Cole Panel was the second panel, moderated by Daniel Koroma, the Vice President of the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The topic was “Beyond Profit: Social Impact Business Models that Work in Sierra Leone.” Panelists included Ali Biko Kamanda, Co-Founder, Salone Rising, Aminata Dumbuya, the CEO of Freetown Waste Transformers, and Dr. Fatu Forna, Co-Founder of the Mama-Pikin Foundation.

The Tunde Cole Panel: Daniel Koroma (far left), Ali Biko Kamanda (left), Aminata Dumbuya (R) , Dr. Fatu Forna (far right)

The John Akar panel explored the theme, “Leveraging Global Opportunities in the African Creative Landscape.” Panelists included Jemilah Alghali, Marketing Manager at the BET Media Group, Drizilik, Sierra Leonean musician, and Jacqueline Tschinkel, Founder of Hello Sierra Leone. Dr. Nadia Sasso, Creative Produce at the NMCO Lab, moderated the session.

The John Akar Panel: Dr. Nadia Sasso (far left), Jemilah Alghali (left), Drizilik (right), and Jacqueline Tschinkel (far right)

The final was the Monty Jones Panel which discussed, “Feed Salone: Transforming Raw Products into Profitable Agricultural Goods.” The panelists included Dr. Henry Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Alhaji Siraj Bah, CEO of Rugsal Group of Companies, Kippy Debbs, the Founder of Sanctuary Farms and Resorts. The panel was moderated by Hamid Marah, Business Development Expert.

The Monty Jones panel: Hamid Marah (far left), Dr. Henry Kpaka (left), Alhaji Siraj Bah (right), and Kippy Debbs

A fireside discussion was held with the retired U.S. Ambassador Michael Owen on improving Sierra Leone-U.S.A relations in the aftermath of travel restrictions.

Michael Owen (left) and Vickie Remoe (right)

All these individuals shared their expertise and inspired the audience to drive economic growth to bring positive change to Sierra Leone. Panelists and speakers shared insights into different sectors with high potential such as real estate, agriculture, and SMEs.

The 2025 SLDIC provided the platform for diaspora investors, policy makers, and interested individuals to explore and identify key investment opportunities in Sierra Leone.

Guests taking their lunch which was catered by Hajara’s Kitchen

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.

As SLDIC looks ahead, the mission remains clear; to grow bigger in influence, bolder in vision, and deeper in impact, ensuring the diaspora continues to shape Sierra Leone’s economic and social transformation.