Sierra Leone’s First Perfume Company: St. Alice Luxury

In the heart of Freetown, at 109 Circular Road, a small yet ambitious business is making history. St. Alice Luxury Perfume, led by its CEO Albert Kobba, is the first perfume production company in Sierra Leone. 

The company’s signature product, Power Scent, is a locally blended perfume that combines international quality with a distinct local touch. Regardless of the challenges faced, this industry has created employment opportunities for young Sierra Leoneans.

How Sierra Leone’s First Perfume Company Started

For Albert Kobba, the journey into perfumery began far from home. He spent years working in a perfume industry in Paris, France, where he learned the art and science of creating fragrances. What started as a passion for perfumes evolved into a vision to create a unique product for his home country.

“I’ve always been a perfume lover,” Kobba shared. “When I came to Sierra Leone for holidays, I used to bring perfumes to sell. That’s when I realized there was a market for quality fragrances here. It inspired me to start my own perfume business. It wasn’t easy, but by God’s grace, I’m getting there.”

Power Scent stands out not only for its quality but for what it represents—a shift towards local production in a field previously dominated by imports. It offers a variety of fragrances to suit different tastes, and the brand even goes the extra mile by customizing scents for clients.

“If someone has a perfume they love but can’t find it here, we can replicate that fragrance locally with the same quality,” Kobba explained.

Power Scent perfume captured by Tamba Martha, VR&C Marketing

Creating Opportunities in Sierra Leone Through Fragrance

Beyond creating a product, St. Alice Luxury Perfume is creating opportunities. Kobba employs young people to distribute his perfumes, helping them generate income and stay productive.

“What excites me most is the impact I’m making. Young people sell my products to keep themselves engaged, and seeing that gives me joy,” he said.

Mr. Albert Kobba, CEO of St. Alice Luxury Perfume captured by Tamba Martha, VR&C Marketing

Challenges and Resilience

Running a perfume business in Sierra Leone is not without challenges. Kobba highlighted the difficulties of sourcing raw materials, many of which are not available locally.

“Sometimes, I have to travel abroad just to get a single chemical because it can’t be shipped here,” he revealed. Despite these obstacles, Kobba remains optimistic.

He has ambitious plans to grow some of the necessary raw materials locally. “We’ve identified flowers that we can plant here, but it’s a long process, and we’re not financially ready yet,” he admitted.

Kobba credits much of his success to his wife, Mrs. Kobba, who has been his rock throughout the journey.

“She has stood firmly by me to see my dream come to life, even through the challenges,” he said.

Refiling perfume bottle captured by Tamba Martha, VR&C Marketing

Building a Legacy

Power Scent has received glowing feedback from clients, including professionals from Rokel Commercial Bank, State House, and Parliament.

“I want Sierra Leoneans to focus less on fancy bottle designs and more on the quality of the perfume inside. Our fragrances match international standards and are harm-free,” Kobba emphasized.

With plans for a nationwide launch and aspirations to take Power Scent global, Kobba is determined to put Sierra Leone on the map in the fragrance industry.

“Five years from now, I want to see my product in every corner of Sierra Leone and even beyond,” he said confidently.

Different flavours of St. Alice Luxury Perfumes captured by Tamba Matha, VR&C Marketing

The Future Smells Sweet

St. Alice Luxury Perfume is more than a business—it’s a symbol of innovation, resilience, and the untapped potential of Sierra Leonean entrepreneurship. Power Scent represents the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s journey toward self-reliance and creativity.

As Kobba prepares for the official launch of his brand, one thing is clear: Sierra Leone now has a scent to call its own.