Freetown, 27th October 2025- Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has made a bold call for economic transformation as he declared the inauguration of the 5th Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone as more than ceremonial but a signal of a new industrial era.
Speaking at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown, Dr. Jalloh described the event as a “revitalised chapter” in Sierra Leone’s enduring partnership with China, one that must now evolve from infrastructure to inclusive prosperity.
“Over the last two to three decades, we’ve seen growing Chinese investment in Sierra Leone,” Dr. Jalloh said. “Today, in manufacturing, mining, and construction, Chinese companies are doing very well, and we are happy with the progress. But now, we must go further.”
The Vice President’s message was clear: the age of aid is waning, and Sierra Leone must pivot toward private-sector growth, domestic resource mobilisation, and sustainable industrialisation. “The only alternative now for most Sub-Saharan African countries is to look inwards,” he said. “Investment creates jobs, increases tax revenue, and builds a strong manufacturing base.”
Dr. Jalloh credited Chinese enterprises with contributing to Sierra Leone’s improving macroeconomic stability. “We’ve reduced inflation, stabilised the exchange rate, and lowered interest rates. That in itself is an ecosystem that allows businesses to flourish,” he noted.
But he didn’t stop at macroeconomics. The Vice President spotlighted corporate social responsibility as a cornerstone of the China–Sierra Leone partnership. He praised firms like Leone Rock Metal Group, CRSG, and Ganfeng Lithium for investing in schools, health centres, and scholarships.
“Local content is very important,” he said. “Companies must source materials locally and train Sierra Leonean workers. Scholarships and school projects are the best gifts companies can give to communities.”
Chinese Ambassador H.E. Wang Qing echoed the Vice President’s sentiments, revealing that bilateral trade reached $1.8 billion in 2024, a 7.1% increase from the previous year. Chinese investments in Sierra Leone now exceed $2 billion, he said, urging companies to respect local laws, protect labour rights, and prioritize environmental protection. “The ultimate goal of economic cooperation is to benefit the people,” Ambassador Wang stated.
Newly elected Chamber President Mr. Du Xinguo pledged to uphold responsible business practices and deepen coordination among member companies. “We will encourage enterprises to strictly abide by local laws and jointly uphold the good reputation of Chinese businesses,” he said. “Social responsibility and mutual growth must guide our actions.”
Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, reinforced China’s role as Sierra Leone’s largest trading and investment partner. “This gathering is about building partnerships that move beyond words, partnerships that translate into factories, skills, jobs, exports, and shared prosperity,” he said.
Minister Sesay urged investors to align with the government’s Feed Salone initiative and green growth priorities, calling for expansion into agro-processing, renewable energy, and construction materials manufacturing. “Our goal is to move from a resource-based to a productive-based economy,” he stressed.
In a final announcement, the Minister revealed plans for a national manufacturers’ roundtable, to be led by President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, aimed at unlocking new growth opportunities and addressing industrial bottlenecks.
With diplomatic goodwill, rising trade figures, and a Vice President determined to turn investment into impact, Sierra Leone’s partnership with China is no longer just about roads and bridges, it’s about building an economy that works for its people.
