Call for Nominations: Sierra Leone Diaspora Excellence Awards Open to Honor Global Trailblazers

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE — Nominations are officially open for the inaugural Sierra Leone Diaspora Excellence Awards, set to take place on December 29, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown.

Held as a centerpiece event during Sierra Leone Diaspora Week 2026 (December 28, 2026 – January 5, 2027), the awards gala will honor exceptional Sierra Leoneans living abroad and returnees who are driving change, innovation, and direct investment back home.

The initiative, co-presented by the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference (SLDIC) and Make Sierra Leone Famous, aims to celebrate individuals and organizations moving beyond standard tourism to build lasting economic and cultural bridges.

“Sierra Leone Diaspora Week is our promise to returning citizens: come home, and you will find open doors to real opportunities… We want every returning Sierra Leonean to leave with a clear path forward and a country they can help build.” — Vickie Remoe, Founder and Chairperson

Award Categories

Members of the global Sierra Leonean community can submit nominations across 12 distinct categories celebrating impact across sectors:

#	Award Category	Key Criteria / Scope
1	Investor of the Year	Recognizes the highest verifiable capital deployed into local, job-creating ventures in Sierra Leone.
2	Returnee Trailblazer	Honors returnees who have built and sustained successful local enterprises within 5 years of returning.
3	Policy Advocate of the Year	Celebrates an individual or group advancing pro-diaspora, cross-border, or pro-business reforms.
4	Diaspora Organization of the Year	Honors organized groups driving collective community development, philanthropy, or investment.
5	Agribusiness Champion	Recognizes investments in farming, food processing, and supply chains driving national food security.
6	Environmental & Green Economy Champion	Highlights pioneers in clean energy, waste management, eco-friendly practices, and climate action.
7	Public Servant of the Year	Recognizes diaspora leaders/returnees in public service who demonstrate exceptional integrity and impact.
8	Innovator of the Year	Highlights tech founders and digital leaders deploying technology to solve local challenges.
9	Make Sierra Leone Famous Creator of the Year	Honors creators, journalists, and media figures amplifying positive narratives about Sierra Leone globally.
10	Philanthropist Award	Recognizes significant charitable contributions and impactful social development projects.
11	Diaspora / Returnee Trade & Export Excellence	Honors leaders driving international trade, imports/exports, or leveraging frameworks like AfCFTA or AGOA.
12	Person of the Year	The flagship honor recognizing a global leader who brought extraordinary pride, prestige, and visibility to Sierra Leone.

Eligibility & How to Submit Nominations

Nominations are open to the general public, and individuals may submit nominations across single or multiple categories.

Eligibility Guidelines:

Diaspora: Sierra Leoneans currently residing abroad.
Returnee: Sierra Leoneans currently residing in Sierra Leone who relocated back from the diaspora within the last 10 years.

Where to Vote / Submit Nominations:

Nominations must be submitted online via the official web portal:

Official Nomination Page: https://makesierraleonefamous.com/diaspora-excellence-awards/
Form Requirements: Submitters will need to provide the nominee’s name, contact/social details, nominee status (Diaspora or Returnee), category selection, and a brief justification (up to 500 words).

The planning committee will review all submissions and announce the final shortlist prior to the event. Winners will be revealed during the evening awards gala on December 29, 2026.