Welcoming Delegates: From Lungi Airport to Freetown

Thirty delegates arrived at Lungi International Airport on Sunday, coming from different continents and time zones to converge in Freetown for three days of meetings with Sierra Leone’s government officials and investment stakeholders.

First Impressions Matter

We stationed team members at the airport to meet delegates as they cleared immigration. The goal was to make sure nobody landed in an unfamiliar country without a familiar face waiting.

From Lungi, the 30-minute ferry crossing into Freetown gave everyone their first real look at Sierra Leone – the coastline stretching out, the capital city approaching from the water, fishing boats passing by. For many, this crossing is when it starts feeling real rather than abstract.

Getting Oriented

By Sunday evening, all delegates were checked into their accommodations in Freetown. Sunday was deliberately kept informal, with no scheduled programming, just space for delegates to meet each other, connect with our team, and get oriented before Monday’s official launch.

Some delegates had worked in West Africa before and knew what to expect. Others were setting foot on the African continent for the first time. Either way, having a day to acclimate before diving into back-to-back government meetings made a difference.

The arrival process sets the tone for the week ahead. When people feel properly welcomed and oriented, they show up to Monday morning meetings ready to engage rather than still adjusting to being there.

Small logistics matter when you’re asking people to fly halfway around the world to evaluate an investment opportunity. Getting the welcome right is part of delivering on the program’s promise of transparency and partnership.

The GO-FOR-GOLD Club Team

Insights and perspectives from leaders shaping Sierra Leone’s investment future.