By: James Kamara-Manneh
Sierra Leone President Julius Bio in his recent visit to the United States of America had a tat-n-tat discussion with the World most notoriety film actor, producer, musician, DJ and humanitarian America-Sierra Leonean descendant Idris Elba.
The engagement was described as fruitful between both personalities and was geared towards Elba’s reaffirming his of investment plans for Sierra Leone, especially Bonthe and Sherbro Island. Mr. Elba continue to highlight his dreams of transforming both Islands thereby opening a Luxury Eco-resort, hotels, restaurant and private beaches.
However, the investment ideology is in line with his entertainment vision to boost Sierra Leone’s commerce and Tourism sector and most importantly share the country’s stories with the rest of the world.
It was in 2020 Idris Elba had earlier expressed strong interest in investing in Sierra Leone’s tourism industry when he met the president in London a year before and signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Sierra Leone. He also spoke about his investment interests during his maiden visit to the country.
The project is roughly estimated to be around £10 million. And if it goes ahead, will create jobs for thousands of young people in Sierra Leone, with a massive impact on the country’s declining GDP and poor foreign exchange earnings which has accounted for over 40% decline in the Leone in the last few years.
Idris Elba was granted citizenship and a Sierra Leonean Diplomatic Passport and pronounced him a Brand Ambassador for the small resource-rich West African nation.
