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SLABOTH Launched to Strengthen Private Sector Voice in Tourism and Hospitality
By Eagleville

The Sierra Leone Association of Business Owners in Tourism and Hospitality (SLABOTH) has been officially launched, marking a significant milestone for private sector engagement in one of the country’s most promising economic sectors. The association aims to provide a structured framework, effective representation, and a unified voice for business owners operating across the tourism and hospitality value chain, according to its Chairperson, Ms. Ngadi Kamara.

The launching ceremony, held in Freetown on Thursday, January 8, 2026, brought together senior government officials, international development partners, and other distinguished guests. Their presence underscored the growing national and international recognition of tourism as a critical driver of Sierra Leone’s economic transformation.

Representing the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the Assistant Director of Tourism, Mr. Robert H. Leigh, officially launched the association. The event was widely described as a breakthrough moment for private sector operators who have, for years, called for stronger coordination, advocacy, and representation within the industry.

In her keynote address, Ms. Kamara—who is also the Managing Director of Hotel Barmoi—said the formation of SLABOTH reflects a shared understanding that tourism and hospitality are not peripheral activities, but central pillars of Sierra Leone’s economic growth, job creation, cultural identity, and international image.

She explained that the association brings together owners of hotels, restaurants, guesthouses, tour operators, venues, and service providers who continue to build viable businesses despite operating in a challenging environment. While the sector contributes significantly to employment, foreign exchange earnings, and community development, she noted that industry players often feel marginalized in national policy discussions.

“Our voices too often go unheard, our challenges unaddressed, and our contributions underrepresented,” she said, stressing the need for a collective platform that can engage government and partners more effectively.

Ms. Kamara outlined key challenges facing the sector, including regulatory complexity and compliance burdens, limited access to finance and investment, skills gaps and workforce development issues, weak infrastructure and utilities, and the need for consistent standards and professionalism. She emphasized that these systemic issues cannot be resolved by individual businesses acting alone.

According to her, SLABOTH emerged from informal conversations among business owners who shared similar struggles, ambitions, and a firm belief in Sierra Leone’s tourism potential. These discussions gradually evolved into structured meetings and consultations, culminating in the deliberate process of defining the association’s identity, values, and governance framework.

“From the outset, we agreed that SLABOTH must be business-led, but nationally minded; collaborative, not confrontational; professional, transparent, and accountable in its governance; and constructive in its engagement with government regulators and development partners,” she said.

She further highlighted the association’s core objectives, which include advocating for fair, practical, and growth-oriented policies and regulations; serving as a structured platform for dialogue between the public and private sectors; promoting high standards, ethical conduct, and professionalism within the industry; and supporting capacity building and knowledge sharing. She disclosed that SLABOTH currently has a membership of 16 business owners.

Among the founding members of the association is Ms. Randa Swaid, owner of The Swiss Hotel in Freetown, while Mr. Abdul Kareem Jalloh, another industry stakeholder, serves as the Public Relations Officer.

Delivering a prepared speech on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Ms. Nabeela Tunis, Mr. Leigh congratulated the membership on the formation of SLABOTH. He quoted the minister as saying that since assuming office, she has consistently pushed for a private sector–led tourism industry.

“I have done so not exclusively for what the ministry stands to benefit from such a sector, but with unity and the collective wellbeing of private actors in mind,” the speech noted.

Mr. Leigh added that this vision inspired the establishment of the National Tourism Council under the Tourism and Cultural Federation. He emphasized that the federation is not an extension of the ministry, but an inclusive platform designed to channel the concerns of industry actors from a practical and contextual perspective. He therefore welcomed SLABOTH as a timely and complementary initiative.

International partners also voiced their support. A representative of the European Union in Sierra Leone was among those who addressed the gathering, pledging continued support for SLABOTH as it works to strengthen the tourism and hospitality sector and promote sustainable economic development.

The launch of SLABOTH is widely regarded as a positive step toward consolidating private sector engagement, improving industry standards, and positioning tourism and hospitality as key drivers of Sierra Leone’s development agenda.