Shalimar Trading: Transforming Sierra Leone’s Transport and Youth
By Alhaji Turay/Yanku
In Sierra Leone, one name has become synonymous with trust, reliability, and progress in the bike and kekeh industry: Shalimar Trading Company. Riders, union members, and park operators alike have consistently praised the company, recognizing it as the country’s leading importer and distributor of motorcycles, kekehs, and other motorized vehicles.
Founded by Moussa Mroue, a member of a family that has been part of Sierra Leone’s history since 1926, Shalimar Trading Company represents the culmination of nearly a century of commitment to the nation. All three generations of the Mroue family were born and raised in Sierra Leone. The company’s name is a tribute to Moussa Mroue’s daughter, Shalimar, who was born in Freetown, reflecting the family’s deep roots in the country.
Since opening its first branch in Kenema in 2006, Shalimar Trading Company has grown to over 25 branches nationwide, each providing high-quality after-sales service, genuine spare parts, and oils to protect customers’ investments. Shalimar is the sole distributor of TVS Motor Company in Sierra Leone and proudly represents several other major brands, including Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, Suzuki Motors, Sonalika Tractors, and Force Motors.
But Shalimar’s impact goes beyond business. The company has created countless job opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth, offering training in mechanics and empowering young people with marketable skills. Hundreds of young men and women now have the expertise to repair bikes and kekehs, earning a stable livelihood and contributing positively to their communities.
Shalimar Trading Company has also taken steps to empower women by providing motorbikes, enabling them to participate actively in the economy and society. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the company has provided relief during national crises, including the Ebola outbreak, COVID-19 pandemic, Matormeh mudslide, and seasonal floods. They have also contributed to local communities by constructing modern churches and mosques, as well as supporting organizations such as the RSLAF Wife’s Association with resources for their multipurpose building at Murray Town Barracks.
One of Shalimar Trading Company’s remarkable practices is its consistent pricing nationwide, ensuring that customers pay the same price for products regardless of location, eliminating unnecessary travel and fostering trust in its services.
By providing employment, training, fair pricing, and social support, Shalimar Trading Company has not only boosted Sierra Leone’s transportation sector but also contributed meaningfully to youth development, women’s empowerment, and economic growth through tax contributions and responsible business practices.
According to bike and kekeh riders across Sierra Leone, Shalimar’s products and services are unmatched. No other company has consistently combined quality, reliability, and social responsibility as Shalimar Trading Company has. Sierra Leoneans are encouraged to embrace and support the good work of Shalimar, recognizing it as a cornerstone of the nation’s development in the transportation industry.
