He Got Citizenship by DNA. Now This African American Man is Investing in Sierra Leone.

As African Americans reconnect with their roots, Keith Williams Jr’s journey to Sierra Leone highlights a unique path to citizenship through ancestry. With a solid familial history tracing back to North Carolina,  Williams uncovered Sierra Leone’s citizenship program, which allowed him to obtain a passport based on his DNA ancestry. Since then, Williams has invested in Sierra Leone through Jobomax Homes. In this interview, he shares insights on the growing trend of diaspora engagement, the importance of understanding one’s heritage, and the promising landscape for real estate development in Sierra Leone.

1.You’re a long way from home; how did you find yourself in Sierra Leone?

Initially, I was searching for a way to obtain an ECOWAS passport which grants access to the West Africa region, and doing this search, I discovered that Sierra Leone offers a citizenship program. After looking into it further, I realized it was an ancestry-based program that allowed you to gain citizenship by tracing your DNA back to Sierra Leone. My family largely comes from North Carolina, going back hundreds of years for both my mom’s side and my father’s side. Some North Carolinians are descendants of Sierra Leonean ancestors, who were brought to grow rice, so that’s mainly where my connection stems from, and that is what enabled me to get citizenship and a passport in November 2022. 

2. Thousands of African Americans are tracing their ancestry and finding ways to connect with the continent; why do you think this is happening?

 So, I believe it has always been a strong interest for Black Americans to understand our origins and the makeup of our identity as Black Americans. While America is our home, and we have established deep roots here – some roots longer than people’s countries have been established – there’s always been a natural curiosity and desire to connect with your ancestral heritage, whatever that may be. And this is why many of us trace our lineage and find ways to reconnect with the continent.

3. You got your citizenship in Sierra Leone through DNA. How did this influence your decision to invest in SL?

My decision was strongly influenced by Sierra Leone’s ancestry for the citizenship program. They held citizenship tours in November and April where participants work with AfricanAncestry.com to take a DNA test, and if the DNA test comes back to one of the many tribes in Sierra Leone, then you qualify for citizenship. During these, you typically spend two weeks in the country learning about it, meeting government officials, and exploring opportunities. This experience kind of propelled me to want to invest in the country.

 4. Why is now a good time to develop property in Sierra Leone? What potential do you see?

I think it’s an excellent time to develop properties in Sierra Leone. Unlike more mature markets like Accra in Ghana, Sierra Leone is still in its developmental stage. There’s a strong demand for housing. The country also has amazingly beautiful beaches and untapped potential for development. These factors make it a prime location for investment.

5. Who are some of the partners you work with in Sierra Leone that support Jobomax Home’s operations here?

Some of our key partners in Sierra Leone include Home Leone, who we work with to acquire land and carry out general contracting. We are also collaborating with Kolat Bricks. I own a few projects along with other local partners. My company The Greenwich Hazleton Group is also looking for new opportunities to expand our operations in the region and we are also a land partner with Jobomax Homes to help them acquire land in the region as well.

Williams engaging with Director of Operations for Home Leone, Micheal Morley

6. Jobomax Homes was able to secure large plots of land for its real estate development. Some people feel that buying land legally here is impossible. Tell us about your experience?

Securing large plots of land in Sierra Leone is definitely possible if you have the right team in place. We have a strong legal team and reliable partners on the ground who guide us through that process. This has allowed us to successfully acquire land that is unencumbered  and we are able to pass on clean title to our customers. 

7. What exciting real estate offerings does Jobomax Homes have for would be homebuyers in the diaspora?

One of Jobomax Homes’s biggest strengths is not just in building quality homes but I would say that the biggest strength in my opinion is providing financing options. So we offer financing for installment purchase contracts to individuals in the diaspora. Our pricing is extremely competitive compared to what you can get in-country. Maturation terms are extremely competitive as well, and that is one of the key factors that sets us apart from other players, in addition to being able to deliver a quality product on time which is not consistent across West Africa in general.

8. For those thinking of investing in Sierra Leone whether large scale as Jobomax Homes or just with a home what advice would you give them. 

My advice would be to exercise patience, work with the right partners on the ground, and ensure you have a very strong legal team. These things are extremely crucial when it comes to getting what you paid for and ensuring that your investment is secure. 

Keith Williams Jr.

About Keith Williams Jr. 

Keith is a transformative leader in real estate development and finance, serving as the Chief Financial Officer at The Greenwich Hazleton Group. With over a decade of experience in commercial banking, underwriting, and risk analysis, he has a strong track record in managing complex financial portfolios and driving growth. Keith’s expertise includes syndications, structured finance, public finance, and real estate lending, with significant contributions to property development in Accra, Ghana, and in Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE. He is committed to sustainable and affordable community development, enhancing living standards and stabilizing communities. Additionally, as a Senior Advisory Board Member at Jobomax Homes, he has played a crucial role in expanding markets in West Africa. Keith is passionate about empowering communities through innovative real estate solutions and strategic financial planning.