Invest Salone, backed by the UK Government and working with British International Investment through the Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator, has released a set of tools aimed at boosting the investment readiness of businesses in Sierra Leone.
New Toolkit and Scorecard Target Small Firms
The launch includes three components: the Sierra Leone Investment Toolkit, an online Investment Readiness Scorecard, and a Business Advisor Directory. The scorecard operates anonymously, letting firms gauge how prepared they are for external capital and pointing out priority areas for improvement.
The accompanying toolkit covers governance, financial management, business strategy, operations and regulatory compliance. It serves as a practical guide for companies that may lack formal procedures. Meanwhile, the advisor directory lists local professional service providers, giving businesses a starting point for specialist support.
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Development Rooted in Local Input
Developers say the resources were shaped after consultations with Sierra Leonean small and medium‑sized enterprises. They also drew on lessons from similar programmes in other markets, adapting the material to the country’s specific business climate.
“Every business is at a different stage of its investment journey, and understanding where you are is the first step towards becoming investment ready,” said Pooja Melwani of Invest Salone. “These resources help businesses assess their current position, identify gaps, and access practical guidance to strengthen their investment proposition.”
Alex Kucharski, Director of Market Creation at BII Plus, added that the initiative aligns with the investor’s broader aim to improve conditions for capital attraction in frontier markets. “These three resources help businesses better understand whether they are ready for investment, identify which investors might be right for them, and showcase the local advisory ecosystem that can support them as they look to grow,” he said.
The anonymous format may encourage firms to be frank about weaknesses without fear of public exposure. It also generates a tailored action plan, which can be useful when approaching potential investors who often request evidence of operational readiness.
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One cautious view notes that while the tools provide a structured pathway, actual uptake will depend on how quickly companies can implement the recommendations. If firms lack the capacity to act on the guidance, the impact could be limited despite the resources’ availability.
Sierra Leone seeks to diversify its economy and attract foreign direct investment. Recent reforms aim to improve the business environment, but challenges remain, including access to finance and skilled advisory services.
Overall, the suite of resources represents a coordinated attempt to standardize how Sierra Leonean firms prepare for investment. Whether the approach will translate into tangible capital inflows remains to be seen, but the tools provide a clearer roadmap for businesses looking to position themselves for growth.
