Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Sierra Leone yesterday hosted its first-ever Manufacturers’ Roundtable and Made-in-Sierra Leone Exhibition, an event officially opened by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to signal a major push toward industrialization and reduced dependence on imports.
During his keynote address, President Bio described the event as a historic move to shift the nation away from exporting raw materials and relying heavily on imported finished goods.
“Whenever we export raw materials, we export jobs and boost other nations’ economies. Without manufacturing, agriculture will struggle to thrive,” he stated. “We are building an economy that consumes what we produce and exports what we make.”
To accelerate this vision, the President announced three strategic initiatives: the Made-in-Sierra Leone Presidential Promotion, the National Manufacturing Roadmap, and the National Manufacturing Pact. These programs are designed to enhance local production, improve competitiveness, and strengthen Sierra Leone’s industrial base.
President Bio also highlighted the country’s strategic geographic advantage, noting that manufacturers have access to nearly 400 million consumers in West Africa and 1.4 billion across the African continent.
He called for a renewed sense of national pride, stating, “Every product made in Sierra Leone is made by our people. When we buy made-in-Sierra Leone, we create jobs and build our economy.”
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, reported that 25 new factories have been established since 2018 as part of ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. He also announced plans to set up four Special Industrial Zones and revive the Koindu International Market.
World Bank Country Manager Abdu Muwonge noted that manufacturing currently contributes 8.8% to Sierra Leone’s GDP, while UNIDO Country Representative Mariatu Swaray reaffirmed support for climate-smart manufacturing and innovation.
The Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, assured manufacturers of a stable economic environment, citing currency stability and reduced inflation.
The event concluded with a unified call for increased collaboration between the government, development partners, and the private sector to drive sustainable industrial growth and position Sierra Leone as a regional manufacturing hub.
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