VP Jalloh Applauds SL Leading Manufacturers for Driving Industrial Transformation

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has hailed Sierra Leone’s leading manufacturers—Pee Cee & Sons, AP Business Venture, Shankadas, MR Distilleries, and KADAT—for their outstanding contributions to the nation’s economic development, innovation, and industrial transformation. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the first-ever National Manufacturers’ Roundtable and Made in Sierra Leone Exhibition, held from October 29–30, 2025, at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown, the Vice President emphasized that the government remains fully committed to strengthening the manufacturing sector, promoting local production, and positioning the “Made in Sierra Leone” brand as a symbol of national pride and economic resilience.

Describing the exhibition as “a true celebration of Sierra Leone’s manufacturing potential,” Dr. Jalloh commended the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Manufacturers Association for their visionary leadership in organizing the landmark event. He noted that the initiative is in perfect alignment with President Julius Maada Bio’s broader agenda to shift Sierra Leone from an import-dependent economy to one driven by innovation, local production, and value addition. “This is not just about producing goods; it is about shaping a self-reliant economy capable of creating jobs, generating wealth, and competing on the global stage,” he emphasized.

The Vice President stressed that homegrown entrepreneurship is central to national development. He highlighted that between 2018 and 2023, nearly 23 percent of Sierra Leone’s imports were food-related, significantly higher than the Sub-Saharan African average of 15 percent. Such dependency, he warned, limits the country’s economic potential and exposes it to global market shocks. “The COVID-19 pandemic and other global disruptions have revealed the vulnerabilities of overreliance on external markets. Sierra Leone must now unleash the full potential of its domestic productive capacity,” Dr. Jalloh declared.

Dr. Jalloh singled out the achievements of Pee Cee & Sons, AP Business Venture, Shankadas, MR Distilleries, and KADAT as exemplary stories of resilience, innovation, and industrial excellence. These companies, he said, have shown that Sierra Leone can produce goods of international quality, create employment opportunities, generate wealth, and build confidence in the national manufacturing sector. He proudly noted that products “Made in Sierra Leone” are now reaching regional and international markets, including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Barbados, marking the early stages of a burgeoning industrial revolution.

The Vice President also highlighted ongoing government efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Sierra Leonean industries. He pointed to the establishment of the National Investment Board under his office, designed to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and create a favorable environment for both domestic and foreign investors. Incentives such as tax exemptions and duty waivers for emerging industries, alongside strategic investments in energy, roads, and digital infrastructure, are aimed at lowering production costs and expanding market access. “Investment begins at home, and Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs deserve the tools and opportunities to succeed,” he stressed.

On the macroeconomic front, Dr. Jalloh noted several key achievements under President Bio’s leadership, including exchange rate stabilization, a reduction of interest rates from 42 percent to 17 percent, and inflation falling to 5.36 percent. These gains, he explained, provide a stable foundation for long-term industrial growth and strengthen investor confidence. He also highlighted the inclusivity of Sierra Leone’s industrial policies, which place women and youth at the center of national economic renewal, providing access to training, financing, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Throughout his address, the Vice President celebrated the perseverance, skill, and vision of Sierra Leonean producers, emphasizing their role in redefining the nation’s economic narrative. He pledged the government’s full support for the implementation of the ten-point action plan developed during the roundtable, aimed at strengthening local supply chains, improving access to finance, enhancing production efficiency, and expanding export capacity.

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Jalloh urged citizens to embrace the spirit of “Produce Salone, Buy Salone,” underscoring that national prosperity depends on the collective commitment to supporting local products and industries. “Together, we will transform Sierra Leone into a nation that not only consumes but produces; a nation that exports innovation, skill, and pride,” he declared to enthusiastic applause.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s remarks reinforced the government’s vision of a self-sufficient, inclusive, and sustainable economy, where local manufacturers like Pee Cee & Sons, AP Business Venture, Shankadas, MR Distilleries, and KADAT are recognized as pillars of progress. Through their resilience, creativity, and commitment to excellence, these enterprises are helping to redefine Sierra Leone’s industrial landscape, proving that the nation’s future lies in the hands of its industrious people and homegrown talent. The Vice President’s message was clear: the era of import dependency is ending, and a new chapter of local production, innovation, and national pride is firmly underway.