My Experience Doing Business in Sierra Leone – A Warning to Foreign Investors
My Experience Doing Business in Sierra Leone – A Warning to Foreign Investors
I came to Sierra Leone with genuine intentions. I wanted to build a long-term business, invest in the country, and create opportunities for both myself and the local economy.
Before making any major investment, I decided to start with a relatively small transaction worth $25,000. My goal was simple: build trust before moving on to larger deals.
Instead, I was scammed.
What shocked me even more was the environment surrounding this businessman. There was a police officer at the entrance to his office, and the office displayed a photograph of him together with the President of Sierra Leone. As a foreign investor, these things gave me confidence. They made me believe I was dealing with a legitimate and trustworthy businessman.
Looking back, I realize that appearance meant nothing.
This isn't only about the $25,000 I lost. It's about the much larger investment that never happened.
If the first transaction had gone well, I planned to purchase approximately $250,000 worth of diamonds every month. Those purchases alone would have generated significant tax revenue for Sierra Leone and supported many businesses.
I also seriously considered investing in other industries, including opening a paper manufacturing factory that could have created jobs for hundreds of local people.
Instead, I left Sierra Leone disappointed and with no intention of investing there again.
Many wealthy business people I know warned me not to travel to Sierra Leone. They preferred paying higher prices to buy diamonds elsewhere rather than risking their money and personal safety.
I didn't believe them.
Now I understand why they were so cautious.
This experience has affected not only me but also the confidence of other investors who have heard my story. Trust is the foundation of international business. When that trust is broken, the damage goes far beyond one transaction.
I hope the authorities continue working to protect honest investors and take strong action against fraud. Sierra Leone has enormous potential, but that potential can only be realized if foreign investors feel that they can do business safely, fairly, and under the protection of the law.
This is my personal experience, and I hope others can learn from it.
