Freetown, 22nd December 2025- The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UBA Sierra Leone, Mohamed Alhajie Samoura, has called for stronger mobilisation of private capital to drive sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
Samoura, who also serves as President of the Sierra Leone Association of Commercial Banks (SLACB), made the appeal while speaking as a panelist during Session 7: “Unlocking Private Capital for Sustainable Development: Pathways to Investment Readiness and Ecosystem Development” at the Sierra Leone Policy Conference 2025, held at the New Brookfields Hotel.
In his remarks, Samoura underscored the pivotal role of commercial banks in bridging the gap between policy ambition and investment readiness. “Private capital is the missing link in Sierra Leone’s development equation. Commercial banks must not only provide financing but also help build the structures that make investments viable and sustainable,” he said.
He stressed that unlocking private capital requires coordinated action across government, financial institutions, and development partners. “We cannot achieve long-term growth if capital remains idle. Mobilising private resources is about creating confidence, improving governance, and ensuring that investors see Sierra Leone as a destination where their money can grow,” Samoura added.
His contributions were well received by participants, who noted the importance of aligning financial sector reforms with broader national development goals. The session concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration between the government, banks, and international partners to expand access to private capital and accelerate Sierra Leone’s economic transformation.
The Sierra Leone Policy Conference 2025 brought together policymakers, financiers, and development experts to discuss pathways for investment readiness and ecosystem development, with private capital mobilisation emerging as a central theme in the country’s push for sustainable growth.
