Sierra Leonean Transport Minister Urges West To Follow China's Example, Invest In Africa

Sierra Leone is calling on the Western countries to follow the example of China, which has a large presence in Africa, and invest in the country, Minister of Transport and Aviation Kabineh Kallon told Sputnik on Friday

YALTA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2019) Sierra Leone is calling on the Western countries to follow the example of China, which has a large presence in Africa, and invest in the country, Minister of Transport and Aviation Kabineh Kallon told Sputnik on Friday.

"It is time for Western world to pay attention to Africa. There are only few countries [present]. China is all over Africa, so we are actively encouraging other countries, the western world, to go and invest in our country. We have a lot of things to do.

We need proper investment. We have vast opportunities for the western world," Kallon said.

The minister added that China was "giving scholarships, giving money to invest in roads, bridges."

One of the latest major infrastructure projects that a Chinese company might implement in Sierra Leone is a bridge that would connect the capital of Freetown to Lungi Airport. Last year, President Julius Maada Bio held a meeting with PowerChina International Group Ltd on the project.