London, UK — July 29, 2025: The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to engaging the Sierra Leonean diaspora in national development during a high-level community meeting held at the Taj Hotel in London on July 25, 2025.
Hosted by the Sierra Leone High Commission, the forum attracted business leaders, professionals, and community stakeholders eager to contribute to the country’s progress. Dr. Jalloh presented a wide-ranging overview of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Government’s achievements and strategic priorities—highlighting human capital development, gender equality, food security, energy access, and education reform.
Dr. Jalloh announced significant strides under the “Feed Salone” initiative, which aims to reduce Sierra Leone’s dependence on food imports. The country is now exporting sardines and cooking oil, while efforts to scale up domestic rice production aim to cut the 23% of national spending currently devoted to food imports.
He further revealed that the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation has approved a $480 million Compact to expand nationwide electricity access. Freetown’s power supply has already increased from 60MW to 85MW, with ongoing infrastructure investments in water, bridges, roads, and digital connectivity. British International Investment is also exploring additional loan support for the water sector.
Vice President Jalloh emphasized the Government’s strong focus on girls’ education, STEM promotion, and healthcare improvements. Sierra Leone now trains three times more doctors annually—rising from 50 to 150—and offers postgraduate medical programs locally. Vaccination targets are being met, and maternal health services continue to expand.
During the engagement, Dr. Jalloh praised the diaspora’s role in remittances and called for investment in microfinance, banking, health, and education. He pledged to continue easing customs clearance for donated supplies and affirmed that the Government is working to establish a favorable framework for diaspora-led investments.
“The Government of Sierra Leone sees the diaspora not only as remitters but as vital partners in national development,” Dr. Jalloh stated.
The Vice President acknowledged calls for more structured avenues to amplify diaspora contributions and emphasized sustained collaboration as key to building a prosperous and inclusive future for Sierra Leone.
Source: https://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/vice-president-jalloh-engages-sierra-leonean-diaspora-in-london-on-national-development-priorities/#google_vignette