National Investment Board Validates New Companies Bill to Boost Business Environment
By: Sorie Sesay
The National Investment Board, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Tuesday held a one-day validation workshop on the proposed Companies and Allied Matters Bill, 2026, aimed at reforming the country’s business legal framework.
The workshop, hosted at the Freetown City Council building, brought together key stakeholders to review and refine the draft legislation before its submission for further legislative processes.
Executive Director of the National Investment Board, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, described the exercise as a critical step in ensuring the proposed law reflects the realities of doing business in Sierra Leone. He said the validation process is intended to identify gaps, address inconsistencies, and build consensus among stakeholders.
According to Dr. Sandy, the bill seeks to modernize the legal framework governing companies by aligning it with international best practices. He noted that the proposed law will strengthen transparency, accountability, and investor confidence, while supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
“As the economy evolves, the legal framework must also keep pace,” he said, adding that clearer and more efficient regulations will reduce the cost of doing business and attract both domestic and foreign investment.
He also pointed to ongoing reforms such as the One Stop Shop Center, which is designed to streamline business registration and improve service delivery, stressing that legal reforms must complement such initiatives.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, State Counsel Alpha Amadu Bah said the bill is central to Sierra Leone’s economic transformation agenda.
He stated that the legislation will simplify business registration processes, reduce administrative burdens, and promote digital transformation within the corporate sector. The bill, he added, is also expected to strengthen corporate governance and align the country’s regulatory environment with global standards.
Mr. Bah acknowledged support from the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project and the World Bank Group, noting that such partnerships are key to advancing reforms in the investment climate.
Stakeholders at the workshop are expected to produce a refined draft of the bill, paving the way for its consideration as part of broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business in Sierra Leone.
