By Aminata Turay
The GO+ Franchise on Tuesday, 16th December 2025, officially held its launching meeting at the Lagoonda, bringing together stakeholders from across Sierra Leone to unveil a bold vision for a sustainable and community-centered retail enterprise.
The event highlighted retail as more than the exchange of goods, emphasizing its role in connecting communities, creating employment opportunities, and driving socio-economic progress. Positioned as more than a supermarket chain, GO+ was introduced as a service hub aimed at strengthening neighborhoods, fostering inclusive growth, and contributing to the transformation of Sierra Leone’s retail landscape.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GO+ and Rhine Africa, Mr. Peng Jinglu, expressed appreciation to participants and prospective partners, assuring customers and investors of the company’s full support as they join the GO+ journey.
He emphasized that the success of the franchise is built on partnership, trust, and shared growth, noting that GO+ remains committed to standing with its partners every step of the way.
The CEO further encouraged stakeholders to engage openly with the team, reaffirming the company’s readiness to provide guidance, operational backing, and long-term collaboration as GO+ expands its presence across the country.
The General Manager of GO+ and Rhine Africa, Mr. Oliver Li, explained that the franchise model is built on quality, efficiency, and strong investor support, noting that the supermarket business offers clear benefits for partners willing to invest.
He outlined that franchisees are required to provide suitable business space, while GO+ supports operations through branding, logistics, and key assets to ensure smooth service delivery.
He also highlighted the strength of the supply chain, disclosing that over 60 percent of goods are sourced directly from appliance and wholesale partners to guarantee quality and consistency.
According to him, the model is designed to reduce operational challenges for investors and position GO+ outlets as modern, customer-focused retail hubs nationwide.
A representative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Victor Abdulia, assured participants of the government’s continued support for the GO+ franchise, describing the initiative as timely and strategic for expanding local business participation and strengthening the country’s retail ecosystem.
He noted that the franchise model is expected to create employment opportunities, encourage investment by small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, and reduce dependence on costly imports by making quality goods more readily available within Sierra Leone.
He added that initiatives such as GO+ align with government efforts to promote inclusive economic growth, local value creation, and sustainable private sector development.
The SLPP Chairman, Mr. Jimmy Batilo Songai, in his address, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting private sector initiatives such as the GO+ franchise.
He emphasized that such ventures align with national development priorities and pledged to serve as a bridge between the government and investors, encouraging responsible investment that creates jobs, strengthens communities, and attracts more business opportunities to Sierra Leone.
The Western Area Chairlady, Haja Isatu Barrie, commended the organizers for creating opportunities that empower women, noting that follow-up engagements would be held to ensure women fully benefit from the initiative.
She encouraged women to use the opportunities responsibly for business and family advancement rather than short-term spending, and expressed gratitude to the organizers and leadership for their support.
She concluded by offering prayers and appreciation to all stakeholders for prioritizing women’s inclusion in economic development.
The launch concluded with the signing of partnership agreements with interested entrepreneurs, marking the official start of collaboration under the GO+ franchise model.
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