By Fatima Kpaka
State House, Freetown, Thursday, 23 July 2026 – The Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce on Thursday paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio at State House, reaffirming the private sector’s commitment to supporting national economic growth and sustainable development.
Speaking on behalf of the Chamber, officials congratulated President Bio on his administration’s achievements and commended his continued engagement with private sector institutions. They described the President’s consistent dialogue with the business community as a clear demonstration of his Government’s commitment to building a diversified, competitive, and inclusive economy driven by the private sector.
The head of delegation of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Modupe Taylor-Pearce, thanked President Bio for granting them an audience, noting that the gesture underscored the high value his Government places on the private sector’s role in promoting economic growth, job creation, and shared prosperity.
He reflected on the Chamber’s long-standing contribution to Sierra Leone’s economic development, describing it as the principal platform through which the private sector engages Government on key policy issues, including trade, industrialisation, taxation, export promotion, investment, and infrastructure development.
Mr Taylor-Pearce further noted that, for decades, the Chamber has represented businesses across a broad spectrum of sectors, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, services, transport, and construction. He also pledged the Chamber’s support for the upcoming West Africa Integration and Investment Summit noting that it is an important initiative for private sector engagement.
Responding to the delegation, President Bio reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to supporting the Chamber and strengthening its institutional role in national development.
He stated that his vision is to build the Chamber into a strong and credible institution such that any business seeking to engage with Government would first do so through the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce.
President Bio acknowledged the challenges raised by the Chamber and assured its members that his Government would address them systematically. He recognised the Chamber as a critical partner in advancing private sector development and creating an enabling environment for investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
The courtesy visit forms part of the Government of Sierra Leone’s continued engagement with private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, promote enterprise development, and accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.