By Mackie M. Jalloh
FREETOWN — In a resounding endorsement of Sierra Leone’s homegrown industries, President Julius Maada Bio has called for renewed national pride in locally produced goods, spotlighting the country’s emerging coffee and beverage sector as a beacon of resilience, creativity, and sustainable growth.
Speaking at the Manufacturers’ Round Table Conference and the Made in Sierra Leone Exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, President Bio praised the growing network of small and medium-sized manufacturers for their commitment to quality and sustainability.
“Our local products are good — our juices, our ideas, and our hopes are better,” President Bio declared. “We must continue to support our local producers, encouraging them to maintain and improve quality, enhance packaging, and strengthen advertising and merchandising.”
The President also expressed his personal enthusiasm for Sierra Leonean coffee, noting,
“I have seen a lot of people producing very good coffee — and I am passionate about that because I drink Sierra Leone coffee.”
Among the standout exhibitors was House of Beans, a rising star in Sierra Leone’s food and beverage industry. Founded less than a year ago by entrepreneur John Shallop, the company has quickly gained recognition for its innovative use of locally sourced ingredients such as coffee beans, cacao, cassava, and cashew nuts.
House of Beans transforms these raw materials into a diverse range of premium products, including:
- Espresso Capsules
- Swit Scoops Ice Cream & Stick Ice Cream
- House of Beans Coffee (Ground & Beans)
- Assorted Chocolate Bars and Gift Packs
- Cassava Flour Cookies
“Our mission goes beyond profit,” said Shallop. “We use what our farmers grow — from coffee beans to cacao and cassava flour — and turn them into products that can compete anywhere in the world. Our dream is to take Sierra Leone’s natural goodness beyond our borders.”
The brand’s creative approach to product development has made it a household name in Freetown and regional cities such as Bo, Kenema, Makeni, and Kono. Its use of cassava flour and cashew nuts in ice cream and baked goods exemplifies the company’s commitment to sustainability and local value creation.
Themed “Diversifying Sierra Leone’s Economy through Manufacturing — A Renewed Commitment for Inclusivity, Sustainability, and Green Growth,” the exhibition served as a platform to celebrate local manufacturing excellence and promote investment in sustainable industries.
President Bio commended businesses like House of Beans for demonstrating how innovation and sustainability can work together to transform local economies.
“We must inspire others who wish to import to do so responsibly — in ways that complement, not compete with, our local industries,” he added.
Consumers can explore the full range of House of Beans products at their factory located at 146B Wilkinson Road, Freetown.
As Sierra Leone continues its journey toward economic diversification, House of Beans stands as a shining example of how local innovation and pride in domestic production can fuel national transformation—one cup of coffee at a time.