Abubakar Hashim/Sierra Leone
Until his death, on Sunday 28, September 2025, Dr Sanpha Koroma, was only private sector entrepreneur, who served in both the ruling SLPP government and its arch opposition, APC.
He had his financial upbringing at the Meridian Bank in Lagos, before returning to Freetown to head the National Development Bank, NDB.
He formed the first fully indigenous bank, Union Trust Bank, UTB, in 1998.
He became Governor, Central Bank of Sierra Leone, in a tumultuous period, during the thick of the civil war between March 1998 and 2003 when the war ended.
During these periods, he changed the face of the bank.
When the opposition party, APC, came to power after Kabbah’s tenure, former President Bai Koroma appointed him as Secretary to the Government, a position he briefly held. He returned to his bank, UTB, to build a new permanent storey structure .
Known for his unique bow tie, TheNEWS met him severally in official occasions. He once remarked that his ultimate aim is to transfer his banking skills and achievements from Nigeria to Sierra Leone.
Late Sanpha remains a towering figure in the financial landscape, not only in Sierra Leone but in the West Africa region
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