Reflections from the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference: My Top Five Takeaways

On August 8, I had the incredible honor of co-hosting the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference alongside the amazing, Mr. Daniel Koroma. This wasn’t just another event, it was a moment. A gathering of minds, hearts, and thought capital, all focused on one shared vision: building a stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous Sierra Leone.

First and foremost, I want to give major flowers to Vickie Remoe, the visionary force behind this conference. She saw a need to bridge the gap between Sierra Leone’s economic opportunities and the power of its diaspora, and she built the bridge. From curating a dynamic agenda to holding space for hard conversations and hopeful solutions, Vickie reminded us all that vision backed by action is unstoppable.

As co-host, I challenged every attendee to do more than just listen. I asked each of us to make at least one meaningful connection in the room. Why? Because when like-minded individuals come together with shared intentions, the possibilities are endless. We weren’t just guests in a room, we were stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s future.

Notable Voices in the Room

This wasn’t a small gathering, it was a power room filled with individuals shaping the future of Salone from every angle. Among the many dignitaries and leaders present, I’d like to spotlight a few:

• Ambassador Mohamed Amara Sowa, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States, whose presence signaled strong institutional support from our government.

• Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture, who delivered a powerful keynote on the Feed Salone Initiative.

• Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, who gave us an optimistic state of the economy report.

• Dr. Fatu Forna, Siraj Bah, Zakiatu Swaray-Rowe, and so many more who are actively doing the work, investing, innovating, and impacting lives daily.

And musician, Drizilik, reminded us all that our culture should be embraced and deserves to be celebrated.

My Top 5 Takeaways

1. We Are the Investors We've Been Waiting For

This was the call to action at the onset of the conference. Diaspora capital doesn’t just mean dollars, it means knowledge, networks, and lived experience. The shift from charity to investment is here. We’re not just giving back, we’re building forward.

2. Feed Salone Must Go Beyond Farms

The agriculture panel reminded us that value addition is the key to lasting prosperity. It’s not just about growing crops, it’s about processing it, packaging it, and profiting from it locally.

3. Partnerships Drive Social Impact

From sanitation to healthcare to education, the Tunde Cole panel showed us what’s possible when impact and profitability work hand in hand. Sierra Leone doesn’t need saviors, it needs partners.

4. Creative Industries Are an Untapped Goldmine

The John Akar panel, moderated by filmmaker and storyteller Dr. Nadia Sasso, focused on creative entrepreneurship and was a reminder that our culture is capital. With the right platforms, Sierra Leonean creatives can export stories, sounds, and styles to a global audience, reframing narratives from Blood Diamonds and Ebola to brilliance, beauty, and innovation.

5. We Need a Consistent Ecosystem, Not One-Off Events

Conferences are catalysts, but what we need is infrastructure to sustain momentum. That means follow-up, policy support, access to finance, and ecosystem coordination. We can’t afford to let this energy fizzle.

What’s Next?

In my next post, I’ll be sharing 10 investment ideas sparked by the conference, ideas that have the potential to shape Sierra Leone’s next chapter of growth. Whether you're an angel investor, entrepreneur, or ecosystem builder, you'll want to keep an eye out.

Going Far, Together

As I said in my closing remarks:

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

This conference wasn’t just about inspiration. It was about alignment and activation. The real work begins now strengthening partnerships, investing strategically, and ensuring the next time we gather, we’re not just sharing ideas, we’re reporting progress.

To everyone who showed up, connected, and committed, thank you. Sierra Leone needs each and every one of us.

Let’s go far. Let’s go together. Let’s build boldly.