Sierra Leone's passport is now viewed as a low-value asset

 

The World Bank recently released the Sierra Leone Country Economic Memorandum, which provides a roadmap for achieving sustainable development and creating jobs for the country's growing workforce.

Despite possessing many assets and showing signs of recovery from the devastating civil war, Sierra Leone remains one of the poorest countries in the world.

The nation boasts rich mineral resources, a young population, abundant arable land, and favorable rainfall, all of which contribute significantly to its economic potential.

Although some positive steps have been taken to harness this potential—including a successful transition from the civil war and subsequent stability—much progress is still necessary.

The country is significantly underperforming relative to its capabilities and is lagging behind other similar nations, with over a quarter of the population living in extreme poverty.

Notably, Sierra Leone ranked 27th lowest in per capita GDP in 2002 but now ranks 11th lowest.

The government faces a crucial turning point. Effectively harnessing its natural resources by capturing revenues from mining and investing these funds in human and physical capital can lay the foundation for private sector growth and diversification, ultimately leading to more job opportunities.

To support this effort, the 2025 Country Economic Memorandum examines the country's growth history and provides recommendations aimed at stimulating and sustaining higher, more stable growth over the next decade.

However, President Maada Bio is paying little attention to the World Bank's advice on how Sierra Leone can move beyond its past and achieve lasting economic growth.

Instead, he appears to rely on drug money politics within the country.

Several headlines highlight this troubling situation: "Freetown: The Cocaine Entrepôt," "Jos Leijdekker Periodically State Lodge," "Jos Leijdekkers Buys Luxury Cars for Ministers, Military, and Police Chiefs," and "Government Ministers, Senior Military & Police Officers Visit Jos Leijdekkers Daily."

These headlines underscore the influence of a fugitive drug lord in Sierra Leone, who seems protected by the president and the government.

This situation has prompted wealthy individuals to rush to pay $140,000 for Sierra Leonean citizenship, which grants free access to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Unfortunately, Sierra Leone's passport is now considered a low-value asset.

Rogue leaders like Maada Bio, who previously stole from the Bank of Sierra Leone as a renegade soldier, are now selling citizenship for $140,000 and taking the money.

Previous policies required a non-refundable donation of $100,000 to the national development fund, owning property valued at over $200,000, investing $1.5 million in a government-approved business or $400,000 per investor, and donating $150,000 to the University of Sierra Leone.

Despite their contributions, many non-Africans in Sierra Leone continue to be denied access to local opportunities and entrepreneurship heritage.

Meanwhile, individuals from Europe and Asia can now get citizenship in just 90 days for $140,000, gaining residency rights across the ECOWAS region.

The question remains: does the Dutch drug lord living in Sierra Leone now hold "right of soil" and "right of blood" under President Maada Bio's leadership?