Freetown, 20th November, 2025 – The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening investment in Sierra Leone, following a high‑level meeting between its Chief Executive Officer, Ben Black, and Sierra Leonean officials in Washington D.C.
Since President Julius Maada Bio assumed office in 2018, the DFC has invested $725.5 million in financing and insurance for projects across Sierra Leone. These include Miro Forestry in Tonkolili, Nant Energy in the Western Area, the Lungi Airport in Port Loko, and West Africa Blue Carbon in the Sherbro River. Regional investments in Africell and Cordaid have also had direct impact on Sierra Leonean citizens.
Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, who led the delegation, took to Facebook to share the news. “Today, I held a productive meeting in Washington D.C. with the CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Mr. Ben Black,” he wrote. “Since President Bio took over in 2018, the US DFC has invested $725.5 million in Sierra Leone. These investments have touched forestry, energy, aviation, and climate resilience.”
Sengeh added that the meeting also looked ahead to new opportunities. “In addition to our current portfolio, I presented a comprehensive investment folder to the US DFC, including the Lungi Bridge, Banana Island Port, expansion of Marampa Mines, expansion of Sierra Rutile, digital infrastructure and connectivity, and critical energy projects,” he said.
Present at the meeting were Sierra Leone’s new Minister of Energy, Cyril Grant, along with five private sector partners — three locally owned companies and two U.S.-citizen owned businesses operating in Sierra Leone.
DFC CEO Ben Black emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the U.S. and Sierra Leone through trade and investment.
Since 2018, the U.S. Government has committed over $1 billion in foreign direct investment to Sierra Leone, including $700 million from DFC, $450 million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and additional support from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). The British International Investment (BII) has also invested or committed $100 million, designating Sierra Leone as a priority country.
