The new office, inaugurated by IFC’s Vice President for Business Advisory Services, Rachel Kyte, demonstrates IFC’s commitment to support development in Sierra Leone by providing strategic advice on doing business and by investing in private sector companies in the country. The new office is located in the central business district of Freetown.
“IFC is committed to doing more to improve the business climate and to boost investments in Sierra Leone,” Kyte said. “We have now opened an office and are appointing new staff to execute our expanded portfolio in the country. In the face of the current global economic crisis, IFC’s commitment to Africa is stronger than ever. It is critical that emerging economies like Sierra Leone are provided the support needed to grow their private sector and to position themselves as preferred investment destinations.”
The opening was attended by several government officials, representatives of the private sector, development partners, and the media. Rachel Kyte is the most senior IFC officer to visit Sierra Leone. During the visit, she will also meet with various officials in the government and the private sector to discuss current and new IFC initiatives.
IFC’s $10 million advisory services program in Sierra Leone is cofunded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development. At the invitation of the Sierra Leone government, IFC is advising it on appropriate actions to create a better business and investment climate. The advisory support has resulted in a number of reforms that are beginning to have a notable effect on the cost, procedures, and time of doing business.
IFC has also invested $28 million in Sierra Leone’s telecommunications and financial services industries, which are key development sectors for the country. IFC is currently developing working strategies to increase its investment portfolio in manufacturing and services, agribusiness, health, education, infrastructure, and financial markets.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $16.2 billion in fiscal 2008, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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