G LO B A L I Z AT I O N
EDITION
HOW GLOBALIZED ARE WE IN SIERRA LEONE, ARE WE READY FOR MCDONALD’s
OR KFC...?
F
rom the Editorial Team: In the last edition of The Investor, we arrived at the conclusion that Sierra Leone was on
an upward trajectory, albeit with a certain degree of caution.
In 2Q:2014, following from forecasts made in 1Q:2014, we
attempt to conceptualize our data and conclusions within a
globalization framework.
We invite our readers to conceptualize the Sierra Leone economy within the backdrop of globalization. ‘Well, what does
this mean?’ I hear you ask.
Advancements in mobile technology have impacted immensely on Sierra Leone, especially within the rural environment. We are yet to include the good ol’ mobile phone in
our inflation basket. I would argue it is long overdue. We are
witnessing a branding revolution within the mobile telecoms
market in Sierra Leone. Most people are familiar with the
Apple brand and the iPhone, with their correlated products.
African economics dictates that high-end brands will always
be priced out of the market. However, the Chinese have crafted an alternative - The Chiphone. Looks like an iPhone and
yes - it makes and receives calls within a smart environment.
With Chinese goods, there is competitive positioning, excellent demand and supply dynamics for smart phones and other consumer items in Sierra Leone. The question is – ‘Who
will win the battle for globalization in Sierra Leone?’ This is
the dichotomy faced in Sierra Leone.
T
he key proponents of Neoliberalism, Mrs. Thatcher and
Mr. Reagan perhaps underestimated the advancement
of Chinese brands and their influences on frontier economies.
It is hard to imagine a country in this dilemma, on the one
hand receiving economic assistance from former colonialists
now rebranded as neoliberals, whilst on the other, presently
an “active trading and development partner” with China.
The notion is, which market persuasion do we as the fastest
growing economy in sub-Sahara Africa sway towards, or do
we simply adopt a sit on the fence position? Economic and
Political history dictates that this is simply eco-political suicide, one not to be attempted at any cost.
The Western Global Institutions operating within the Country dictate that the trade-off for financial assistance is subject
to conditional acceptance of Structural Adjustment Policies
(SAP), whilst the Chinese are demanding more land acquisition rights Naturally!!!!!!
In a nutshell, Sierra Leone is not ready for a KFC or Mc
Donalds just yet. Our economics and market forces dictates
this.
Our earning/purchasing power and income per capita is nowhere near a middle income status country and therefor