Jamil Sahid Mohamed

Jamil Sahid Mohamed Khalil (1936–2000) was a Sierra Leonean-Lebanese businessman, diamonds and commodities trader. He attained prominence in the diamond industry across Africa and Antwerp and became an influential figure in the politics of Sierra Leone through his close association with President Siaka Stevens. He was arguably the most successful Lebanese trader in West Africa. As a result of his activities, he was considered one of the richest and most powerful men in Africa along with then-President Siaka Stevens.

Association with Siaka Stevens Khalil found a kindred spirit in President Siaka Stevens who was equally keen to exploit Sierra Leone's gold and diamonds resource for personal gain. In Sierra Leone's post-colonial era, Siaka Stevens association with Jamil Sahid Mohamed Khalil would have a dramatic effect on government policy. Both of them would, for a time, count themselves among Africa's wealthiest men.

The alliance of Stevens and Khalil was one of convenience. Stevens had access but as a head of state he was prohibited from engaging in commerce.

Khalil became a beneficiary of the kleptocracy established by President Siaka Stevens.

The president granted Khalil's National Trading Company a monopoly to import more than eighty-seven commodities. at the request of Jamil, who had already managed to acquire 12% of the concession. By 1984 Khalil bought the remaining shares from De Beers. That marked the first time De Beers ever lost a monopoly in Africa.

Tommy Taylor-Morgan, the Minister of Finance, warned that Sierra Leone was losing in excess of US$160 million of diamond income annually to diamond smuggling. Located atop Juba Hill in Freetown and spanning over 25 acres, the construction of Kabassa Lodge took two years to complete.