Sierra Leone and Gabon have committed to strengthening bilateral relations and establishing a more structured partnership following high-level talks between President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The discussions, held at State House in Freetown on Monday, 3 August 2026, formed part of President Oligui Nguema’s three-day state visit to Sierra Leone. They culminated in the signing of a Joint Communiqué by the Foreign Ministers of both countries, outlining priority areas for cooperation.
President Bio formally received the Gabonese leader and his delegation at State House, where the two Heads of State held a private meeting before joining their respective delegations for bilateral discussions.
Welcoming his counterpart, President Bio congratulated President Oligui Nguema on his election and commended Gabon’s return to constitutional governance, describing the transition as an important step for democratic development in Africa.
He said the visit offered both countries an opportunity to transform their longstanding friendship into a more ambitious and results-driven partnership.
“Your visit provides an important opportunity to open a more ambitious chapter in the relations between our two countries,” President Bio stated.
The Sierra Leonean leader proposed the establishment of a Sierra Leone–Gabon Joint Commission for Cooperation, supported by a time-bound implementation roadmap to ensure that agreements reached by the two countries deliver tangible benefits to their citizens.
President Bio identified agriculture, mining, fisheries, energy, infrastructure, tourism and logistics as sectors with strong potential for investment and bilateral cooperation.
He also called for greater interaction between the private sectors of both countries through trade and investment missions aimed at identifying commercially viable partnerships and expanding economic exchanges.
President Bio highlighted opportunities for cooperation in agricultural mechanisation, irrigation, research and agro-processing, particularly in support of Sierra Leone’s flagship Feed Salone programme.
Recognising Sierra Leone and Gabon as Atlantic nations, he called for stronger collaboration in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and marine resource protection. He said joint action was needed to combat illegal fishing and environmental degradation.
The President also encouraged cooperation in mining governance, petroleum regulation, local-content development, responsible environmental management and domestic value addition.
Acknowledging Gabon’s experience in forest conservation and biodiversity protection, President Bio proposed increased collaboration in climate finance, carbon markets, marine protection, forest conservation and coastal resilience.
Education, technical and vocational training, healthcare, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sports, youth development and professional exchanges were also identified as areas in which the two countries could share knowledge and expertise.
On peace and security, President Bio called for closer cooperation in maritime surveillance, intelligence sharing and efforts to combat trafficking, organised crime, cyber threats and illegal fishing, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea and the wider Atlantic region.
He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to working with Gabon through the African Union, United Nations and other multilateral platforms to advance Agenda 2063, African integration and reforms to global governance institutions.
Responding, President Oligui Nguema described his visit as an important step towards strengthening relations between the two countries.
He said the discussions covered several areas of mutual interest, including agriculture, education, vocational training, language and cultural exchanges, as well as additional opportunities for sustainable economic development.
The Gabonese leader stressed the importance of dialogue, mutual trust and constructive engagement in addressing contemporary challenges confronting African countries.
He also reaffirmed Gabon’s commitment to regional and continental integration, noting that African solidarity remained essential to promoting peace, stability and sustainable development.
The bilateral talks were followed by the signing of a Joint Communiqué by the Foreign Ministers of Sierra Leone and Gabon. The document formalised the commitments reached and established a framework for future cooperation between the two countries.
The day’s official engagements concluded with a State Banquet hosted in honour of President Oligui Nguema and his delegation at Chapter One on Lumley Beach Road.
Chaired by Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation Director General Josephine Kamara, the banquet brought together senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic community and other invited guests to celebrate the growing friendship between Sierra Leone and Gabon.
President Oligui Nguema’s state visit continued with engagements focused on strengthening diplomatic relations, promoting tourism and investment, and expanding people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
