Sierra Leone needs private sector in post-Ebola economy

To promote socio-economic recovery and future prosperity after Ebola outbreak, Sierra Leone is looking for private sector's help to diversify its economy, said the country's foreign minister in London on Tuesday.

"We must diversify the economy, and the economic diversification depends on the level of private sector development," said Samura Kamara, the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation of the republic of Sierra Leone, in a meeting.

Before Ebola outbreak, Sierra Leone economy grew with double digit in 2012 and 2013. However, the west African country's economy was ruined by the recent year-long outbreak of the Ebola virus in May 2014.

The epidemic spread rapidly to all parts of the country with accelerated infection rates has had a devastating social and humanitarian crisis.

"The economic impact is also substantial with the private sector bearing a significant part of the brunt. Mining, manufacturing and agriculture were all adversely affected," said Kamara.

The country welcomed investment from private sectors. The foreign minister said private sector not only has a significant role in green growth, but also in promoting investment friendly education and technical skills.

"A lot of the growth in Sierra Leone will be driven by the private-sector, with investments ongoing in mining, agribusiness, construction, services, hydroelectric energy, and bioenergy generation," said Kamara.

Kamara is also one of the candidates short-listed to become the next president of the African Development Bank (AfDB). The new AfDB president will be elected by its board of governors in May. Endit