By: Aminata Turay
The GO+ Franchise on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, officially held its launch meeting at the Lagoonda, bringing together stakeholders from across Sierra Leone to unveil a bold vision for a sustainable, community-centered retail enterprise.
The event underscored retail as more than the exchange of goods, highlighting its role in connecting communities, creating employment opportunities, and driving socio-economic development. Positioned as more than a supermarket chain, GO+ was introduced as a service hub aimed at strengthening neighborhoods, fostering inclusive growth, and transforming Sierra Leone’s retail landscape.
Speaking at the launch, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GO+ and Rhine Africa, Mr. Peng Jinglu, expressed appreciation to participants and prospective partners. He assured customers and investors of the company’s full support as they join the GO+ journey.
Mr. Peng emphasized that the success of the franchise is built on partnership, trust, and shared growth, noting that GO+ is committed to standing with its partners at every stage. He encouraged stakeholders to engage openly with the team, reaffirming the company’s readiness to provide guidance, operational support, and long-term collaboration as the franchise expands nationwide.
The General Manager of GO+ and Rhine Africa, Mr. Oliver Li, explained that the franchise model is anchored on quality, efficiency, and strong investor support. He noted that the supermarket business offers clear and sustainable benefits for partners willing to invest.
According to Mr. Li, franchisees are required to provide suitable business space, while GO+ supports operations through branding, logistics, and key assets to ensure efficient service delivery. He further highlighted the strength of the supply chain, disclosing that over 60 percent of goods are sourced directly from appliance manufacturers and wholesale partners to guarantee quality and consistency.
He added that the model is designed to reduce operational challenges for investors while positioning GO+ outlets as modern, customer-focused retail hubs across the country.
Representing the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Victor Abdulia assured participants of the government’s continued support for the GO+ franchise, describing the initiative as timely and strategic in expanding local business participation and strengthening Sierra Leone’s retail ecosystem.
He noted that the franchise model is expected to create employment opportunities, encourage investment by small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, and reduce dependence on costly imports by making quality goods more readily available within the country. He added that initiatives such as GO+ align with government efforts to promote inclusive economic growth, local value creation, and sustainable private-sector development.
In his address, SLPP Chairman Mr. Jimmy Batilo Songai reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting private-sector initiatives like the GO+ franchise. He emphasized that such ventures align with national development priorities and pledged to serve as a bridge between the government and investors, encouraging responsible investment that creates jobs, strengthens communities, and attracts further business opportunities to Sierra Leone.
The Western Area Chairlady, Haja Isatu Barrie, commended the organizers for creating opportunities that empower women. She noted that follow-up engagements would be held to ensure women fully benefit from the initiative.
She encouraged women to utilize the opportunities responsibly for long-term business growth and family advancement rather than short-term spending and expressed appreciation to the organizers and leadership for prioritizing women’s inclusion in economic development.
The launch concluded with the signing of partnership agreements with interested entrepreneurs, officially marking the commencement of collaboration under the GO+ franchise model.
