Sierra Leone Investment & Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA)
Invest in Sierra Leone — Africa's Rising Star
Rich natural resources, strategic Atlantic location, young workforce, and a government committed to digital transparency and investor protection.
Total FDI to Date
$1.2B
Cumulative investment
Active Investors
450+
From 35 countries
Jobs Created
45,000+
Direct employment
Export Growth
+18.5%
Year-on-year 2025
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows ($M)
+130% growth over 5 years
GDP Contribution by Sector (%)
Key Investment Sectors
Mining & Minerals
GDP: 12%Rich deposits of diamonds, iron ore, rutile, bauxite, and gold. Sierra Leone holds some of the world's largest rutile reserves.
Agriculture
GDP: 58%Fertile land with 5.4M hectares of arable land — only 15% currently cultivated. Ideal climate for cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and rice.
Fisheries
GDP: 10%Atlantic coastline of 560km with rich marine resources. Significant potential for commercial fishing and aquaculture.
Tourism
GDP: 3%Pristine beaches, wildlife reserves, and cultural heritage. Lumley Beach, Banana Islands, Tiwai Island, and Tacugama Sanctuary.
Energy
GDP: 2%Massive untapped potential in hydroelectric (1,300 MW), solar, and biomass. Current installed capacity is only 100 MW — huge gap.
Infrastructure
GDP: 5%Major infrastructure development underway: roads, bridges, ports, and urban development. Government priority sector.
Technology
GDP: 2%Growing digital economy with 5 million mobile phone users. Government investing in digital infrastructure through DSTI.
Natural Resources
Diamonds
Kono, Kenema, Bo
Significant alluvial & kimberlite
Iron Ore
Tonkolili, Port Loko
12.8 billion tonnes
Rutile
Bonthe, Moyamba
World's largest deposit
Bauxite
Port Loko, Moyamba
45 million tonnes
Gold
Multiple districts
Expanding exploration
Offshore Oil
Atlantic Coast
Exploration stage
Trade Agreements & Market Access
ECOWAS
15 countriesAfCFTA
54 countriesMano River Union
4 countriesEU-ACP Partnership
EU 27 countriesAGOA
United StatesUK-SL EPA
United KingdomCompetitive Tax Rates
| Country | Corporate Tax | VAT/GST | Import Duty | Withholding Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Leone ★ | 25% | 15% | 5-20% | 10% |
| Guinea | 35% | 18% | 8-25% | 15% |
| Liberia | 25% | 14% | 5-25% | 15% |
| Ghana | 25% | 15% | 5-35% | 15% |
| Nigeria | 30% | 7.5% | 5-35% | 10% |
| Senegal | 30% | 18% | 5-30% | 20% |
Infrastructure Pipeline
Lungi Bridge
$1.2B
Queen Elizabeth II Quay Expansion
$350M
Bumbuna II Hydroelectric
$700M
Freetown Solar Power Plant
$150M
Wellington-Masiaka Highway
$180M
National Fibre Backbone
$85M
Investment Incentives
Tax Holiday
Up to 10 years corporate tax exemption for priority sectors
Duty-Free Import
Zero customs duty on capital equipment and machinery
Profit Repatriation
100% repatriation of profits, dividends, and capital guaranteed
Investment Protection
Bilateral investment treaties with 10+ countries
Land Access
Government-facilitated access to industrial land and zones
One-Stop Shop
SLIEPA provides all permits and registrations in one location
How to Invest — Step by Step
Register with SLIEPA
Submit investment proposal to Sierra Leone Investment & Export Promotion Agency.
Get Investment Certificate
Receive your investment certificate confirming sector classification and incentives.
Register Business
Register your company through OARG. Can be done on GOV.SL.
Obtain Permits & Licenses
Apply for sector-specific permits: mining, trading, environmental.
Start Operations
Open bank account, register with NRA for tax, hire staff.
Investment Zones
| Zone | Primary Sector | Status | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Area / Freetown | Services, Technology, Finance | Active | 2,500+ |
| Koidu (Kono District) | Diamond Mining | Active | 4,200+ |
| Lunsar (Port Loko) | Iron Ore Mining | Active | 3,100+ |
| Bonthe District | Rutile & Bauxite Mining | Active | 2,800+ |
| Bo District | Agriculture & Agro-processing | Developing | 1,500+ |
| Makeni (Bombali) | Agriculture & Solar Energy | Developing | 800+ |
| Nitti Port (Freetown) | Logistics & Port Services | Planned | TBD |
Labour Market Overview
Workforce
2.8M
Economically active
Youth (under 35)
65%
Young, trainable workforce
Minimum Wage
Le 600K/mo
Competitive in region
Annual Graduates
35,000+
Universities & TVET
Investor Success Stories
“Sierra Leone offers exceptional mineral wealth and a government committed to supporting foreign investment. Our iron ore operations employ over 2,000 Sierra Leoneans.”
Chen Wei
Kingho Energy Group — China
“The bauxite deposits are world-class. SLIEPA made the registration process straightforward and the workforce is eager and capable.”
Sarah Mitchell
Vimetco Holdings — Netherlands
“The government's digital transformation agenda, including GOV.SL, shows a commitment to transparency that gives investors confidence.”
Raj Patel
SL Mining Ltd — India
Contact SLIEPA
Sierra Leone Investment & Export Promotion Agency — your one-stop shop for investing in Sierra Leone