By: Hajara Sesay
The Executive Director of the National Investment Board (NIB), Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, has announced a series of sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing Sierra Leone’s investment climate and strengthening the country’s competitiveness for both local and international investors.
Speaking to this media on 18th November 2025 at the New Brookfield Hotel in Freetown, Dr. Sandy highlighted the Board’s ongoing initiatives, the challenges encountered, and the broader government effort to make Sierra Leone an attractive destination for sustainable business growth.
Dr. Sandy reaffirmed the NIB’s mandate, stressing its central role in coordinating and facilitating investment processes across the country.
“The NIB was established with a clear mission: to streamline investment procedures, connect global investors with local opportunities, and ensure that both domestic and foreign investments contribute meaningfully to economic growth, job creation, and long-term national development,” he said.
One-Stop Shop: A Landmark Reform; A major highlight of the reforms is the establishment of a modern one-stop shop for investors, designed to simplify and consolidate services that were previously scattered across multiple government institutions.
Dr. Sandy noted that the old system created delays and discouraged investor interest. The new one-stop shop both physical and digital centralizes key services, including:
Business registration
Licensing
Land acquisition facilitation
Tax-related services
Work permit processing
“If we want to attract serious investment, we must make the process simple, predictable, and efficient,” he emphasized.
24-Hour Business Registration one of the institution’s early achievements is the rollout of a 24-hour business registration system, powered by a modern online platform. Dr. Sandy explained that this reform addresses long-standing bottlenecks that left investors grappling with slow and manual procedures.
“Today, investors can register a business within a day and immediately begin focusing on their operations,” he said.
Integrating Government Investment Functions established in 2022, the NIB continues its transition toward consolidating several investment-related functions under a single authority. Dr. Sandy acknowledged that aligning staff, systems, and processes required careful planning but has significantly strengthened the Board’s effectiveness.
He described the launch of the one-stop shop as a historic milestone, noting that Sierra Leone has never before had such a streamlined, investor-friendly service structure.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities; Dr. Sandy admitted that challenges persist particularly around land access, timely permits, and regulatory approvals all of which can influence investor confidence. However, he stressed that these obstacles present opportunities for improvement.
“Our goal is to ensure that all relevant government agencies work together so that investors receive the services they need on time and with professionalism,” he said.
The Executive Director highlighted the government’s steadfast support for the NIB’s work, reinforced by President Bio’s strong engagement with international partners and investors.
He noted that Sierra Leone is already recording increased foreign direct investment, an indication that the reforms are beginning to yield results.
A Call to Global Investors; Dr. Sandy concluded with a direct appeal to international investors:
“Sierra Leone is open for business now more than ever. With the reforms underway, this is the right time to invest. Come, explore the opportunities, and be part of our journey toward achieving middle-income status.”