5/08/2026: The National Investment Board (NIB) hosted the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-SL) Deputy Resident Representative and his delegation at the NIB headquarters, Freetown, for a high-level engagement aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and identifying new areas of partnership to support Sierra Leone’s investment and private sector development agenda.
Welcoming the delegation, the Executive Director of NIB, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, highlighted the establishment of the NIB through the merger of key investment institutions, noting that the reform has created a more coordinated and efficient investment promotion and facilitation framework. He expressed appreciation to UNDP for its continuous support to the institution, particularly in strengthening NIB’s operational capacity following the establishment of the Board. He highlighted UNDP’s support in developing a unified NIB website, which has streamlined the online presence of the former institutions merged under the NIB and now provides investors with a single digital platform for investment information and services.
Dr. Sandy also appreciated the UNDP’s valuable contribution towards the aftercare services, noting that the partnership enabled the successful rollout of nationwide Public-Private Dialogues (PPDs), which generated critical stakeholder input to strengthen Sierra Leone’s business and investment climate. In his conclusion, he requested UNDP’s continued support in the areas of strengthening SME export competitiveness, developing an investment project pipeline, supporting the implementation of the National Investment Strategy, and strengthening institutional capacity
In his remarks, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Kevin Petrini, expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved through the partnership with NIB and reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s economic transformation. He highlighted UNDP’s support in the transportation sector, including ferry services to improve water transportation and interventions in the public bus and taxi sectors. He further stated that going forward, UNDP support will be a co-creation approach to future partnerships, where both institutions jointly develop and implement priority initiatives aligned with the Board’s strategic plans and budget.
The Director of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate at NIB, Mohamed Abu Sesay, also contributed to the discussions, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and investment facilitation through strategic partnerships and support.
The meeting concluded with a guided tour of the National Investment Board’s facilities, during which the delegation was shown the various interventions and institutional support provided by UNDP. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening cooperation in promoting investment, improving the business environment, and advancing sustainable economic development in Sierra Leone.
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