Promoting Inclusive Investment: Land for Life and NIB Engage CSOs and Private Sector in Regional Dialogues
Land for Life Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the National Investment Board (NIB), on the 30th of September and the 2nd of October 2025, organized CSO–Private Sector Dialogues in Bo and Makeni.
The dialogues brought together civil society organizations (CSOs), government agencies, District Councils, traditional authorities, private sector actors, and landowners from across Sierra Leone’s south-east and north-west regions. The objective was clear: to strengthen collaboration for responsible land-based investment in the country.
Facilitated by the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Umaru Fofana, a respected journalist and social development practitioner, the sessions provided space for trust-building and knowledge sharing between CSOs and the private sector.
During the engagements, participants, particularly community landowners whose lands are often leased to investors, expressed concerns over limited community benefits from such investments. They highlighted issues such as delayed payment of lease rents and unfulfilled corporate promises, which have contributed to tensions between investors and host communities.
In Makeni, the Chief Administrator of the Bombali District Council, Mr. Abdul Koroma, acknowledged the existence of land-related conflicts in the district, noting that these disputes have caused some private companies to withdraw from the area.
“This is not unique to Bombali District,” he said. “Other districts across Sierra Leone are facing similar challenges. We are losing a lot as councils, which affects our ability to deliver services to our people.”
In Bo District, Chief Boyzie Lemah of Kakuwa Chiefdom shared similar concerns, emphasizing that his chiefdom has not benefited substantially from investment activities. He called for the development of a national framework to guide how communities and CSOs engage with investors to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes.
Looking ahead, a CSO–Private Sector Dialogic Framework will be developed and validated. This framework aims to provide a roadmap for constructive engagement between communities, CSOs, and investors, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable land-based investments in Sierra Leone.
