Founder and Chair of the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference (SLDIC), Vickie Remoe has announced the Sierra Leone Diaspora Week, a landmark weeklong event running from December 28 to January 5, 2026 that will bring together investment, culture, and entertainment to strengthen diaspora engagement and confidence in Sierra Leone.

Remoe made this announcement on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026 at the Swiss Hotel Babadorie Lumley where she briefed the media on the weeklong programme and its importance.

Journalists and media houses at the press briefing

The Sierra Leone Diaspora Week aims to transform the annual December-return into a coordinated platform for structured investment, trade, pro-diaspora and business policy advocacy, and cultural reconnection.

The Sierra Leone Diaspora week will also host the fifth edition of the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference (SLDIC), which will open the week on December 28 & 29th, 2026.

Remoe has hosted four conferences so far, three in the United States and the most recent in the UK. Following the sold-out success of SLDIC London in June 2026 which convened over 400 delegates and government lead this inaugural. Freetown edition will bring the conversation home to catalyze action, sign deals, and establish permanent economic linkages

“Sierra Leone Diaspora Week is our promise to returning citizens: come home, and you will find open doors to real opportunities. Doors into boardrooms, farms, factories, and the growing industries shaping our country’s future. We want every returning Sierra Leonean to leave with a clear path forward and a country they can help build,” Remoe said.

The Big Issue on Why Diasporans Fear to Invest

Vice President of Sierra Leone, H.E. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh speaking at the recently held SLDIC 2026 event in London.

Remoe highlighted that trust is the biggest barrier to diaspora investment.

“They do not hear news about successful private sector businesses, they only hear about political news which are mostly bad news, they do not have the confidence to invest in Sierra Leone.”

“We need to make a case to the diaspora that beyond the everyday money that you send, or invest in other countries, it can also be mobilised to invest in high growth in Sierra Leone,” she added.

According to her, the SLDIC team survey of 400 diasporans revealed that 80% pointed to a lack of trust as the main reason for avoiding investment in the country. To address these concerns and clear up common misconceptions regarding investment in Sierra Leone, a dedicated panel has been organized for the upcoming SLDIC conference in Freetown.

During the two-day conference, additional panel discussions will cover key themes such as investment, trade, pro-diaspora and business policy advocacy, as well as cultural reconnection.

The conference aims to rebuild that confidence by bringing together policy makers, entrepreneurs and investors to network face-to-face.

Why This Event Matters

Remoe said the timing is critical. With global aid shrinking and geopolitical priorities shifting, including the UK slashing its aid budget to fund defence, Sierra Leone can no longer rely on donor money. The country must look inward and to its global community for capital.

“The diaspora sends $300 million to families. No donor sends that amount of money, it is like writing a cheque book,” she said.

According to World Bank data, Sierra Leone received $320.8 million in personal remittances in 2024, up from $293.0 million in 2023 and $291.2 million in 2022. The inflow represented 4.6% of GDP in 2024 the highest share ever recorded for the country and now exceeds annual Foreign Direct Investment. With most transfers under $250 going to household survival.

She argued that if that amount can be sent consistently for family support, it can be mobilised for high-growth sectors like agriculture, health and manufacturing. This, she said, is the missing link between remittances for survival and investment for growth.

“The diaspora is the 17th district. It is the most educated and most powerful community,” Remoe said, adding that when the diaspora invests and opens private sector businesses, they create jobs, expand the private sector, and pay taxes that the government uses to run the country.

With youth unemployment remaining high, she noted that diaspora-led investment could be a direct solution.

What to Expect at This Year’s Sierra Leone Diaspora Week

Remoe highlighted that the period was deliberately chosen because December is when most diasporans return home for the holidays, and many want enjoyment alongside business.

The festival opens Monday, December 28, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel with Day 1 of the conference. Diaspora investors, policymakers and local entrepreneurs will convene for keynotes and panels on trust, banking reform and capital ecosystems, alongside the opening of the SME Showcase.

On Tuesday, December 29, at the same venue, the conference continues with a focus on agribusiness and mining local content, featuring B2B Dealroom matchmaking between investors and local businesses. The day ends with the Diaspora Excellence Awards gala honoring global trailblazers.

On Wednesday, December 30, at Campenero Resort, Bureh Beach, the program shifts to the Diaspora Wars Beach Sports Day and Midnight Bonfire. Over 10 continental squads will compete in an 18-hour festival of athletics and tug-of-war, closing with storytelling around a bonfire.

The program resumes Monday, January 4, 2027 (venue TBA) with the Diaspora Investment Bootcamp facilitated by ARK. The intensive clinic will train potential investors on business registration, tax compliance and capital readiness.

It closes Tuesday, January 5, with a Trade, Agribusiness and Eco-Tourism Tour of regional farms and eco-sites, taking investors to visit diaspora and locally-owned farms and agro-processors to see opportunities firsthand.

Access is tiered. The VIP Business Meets Culture Pass ($325 Early Bird) is the all-access pass covering all 9 days, including the 2-day conference, SME showcase, Excellence Awards, Bootcamp and Agribusiness Tour.

The 2-Day Conference Pass ($125) covers the summit, panels, cocktail and exhibition hall. The Exhibitor/Vendor Pass ($500) gives businesses a booth in the SME showcase plus directory listing and global promotion.

A Welcome Pass (Free with registration) is also available for the opening marketplace and public community events.

The event promises to be a mix of business with fun and culture. To purchase your ticket, make sure to visit https://makesierraleonefamous.com/pricing-plans/.

The official sponsors of the Sierra Leone Diaspora Week are the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and TAF Africa Global. Brussels Airlines is the official airline partner and is offering a dedicated booking link for European departures on Lufthansa Group, United, and Air Canada to attend the event.

Registration is now open. For more information, visit http://MakeSierraLeoneFamous.com.

WRITTEN BY DEBORAH KAMARA