Parliament has approved Sierra Leone’s Supplementary Budget for the 2026 Financial Year, introducing significant revisions to the country’s fiscal framework in response to rising global oil prices, declining domestic revenue and growing economic pressures associated with the conflict in the Middle East.

Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura presented the Supplementary Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies to Parliament on Friday, 31 July 2026. The revised financial plan is anchored on the theme: “Strengthening Budget Credibility to Safeguard Macroeconomic Stability and Protect Livelihoods of Citizens.”

Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura explained that although Parliament approved the original 2026 National Budget in December 2025, unforeseen global developments had weakened some of the assumptions on which the initial fiscal framework was based. He said the sharp rise in international oil prices since March 2026 had affected economic growth, inflation, revenue collection and Government expenditure.

According to Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, international oil prices rose above the Government’s original projection of US$70 per barrel following heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The increase placed considerable pressure on Sierra Leone as a petroleum-importing country, raising transportation, production and distribution costs across the economy.

The Minister of Finance informed lawmakers that the Government introduced fuel subsidies in April 2026 to reduce the impact of rising petroleum prices on consumers. Additional resources were also allocated to the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority to enable it to meet payment obligations to Independent Power Producers and prevent a sharp increase in electricity tariffs.

He said the combined effect of fuel and electricity subsidies, lower petroleum consumption and slowing economic activity had increased pressure on public finances. Revenue shortfalls recorded during the first half of 2026 are expected to persist, particularly in collections from the Goods and Services Tax, customs duties and road user charges.

Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura stressed that the revised budget was designed to restore credibility to the fiscal framework, maintain essential public services and protect citizens from the adverse effects of external economic shocks. He added that the Government would rationalize the domestic capital budget and align expenditure with an updated Public Investment Programme.

Reviewing Sierra Leone’s economic performance in 2025, the Minister said the country entered 2026 on a stronger economic footing after recording significant improvements in growth, inflation, debt sustainability and fiscal management.

The economy grew by 4.8 percent in 2025, exceeding the projected rate of 4.5 percent and surpassing the average growth rate for Sub-Saharan Africa. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura attributed the performance to increased agricultural production under the Feed Salone Programme, higher iron ore output and expansion in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Inflation also declined sharply to 4.4 percent in December 2025, compared with 13.8 percent in December 2024 and 52.2 percent in 2023. The improvement was attributed to tight monetary policy, fiscal consolidation, a relatively stable exchange rate, increased domestic food production and the easing of global food and oil prices.

Sierra Leone’s external trade position also improved during 2025 as export earnings increased and imports declined, reducing the country’s trade deficit. Public debt fell to 44.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product from 48.4 percent in 2024, while the overall fiscal deficit narrowed.

The Government also recorded its first domestic primary budget surplus since the COVID-19 pandemic. Reduced domestic borrowing contributed to a decline in interest rates, providing commercial banks with more opportunities to extend credit to private businesses.

Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura further highlighted Sierra Leone’s progress under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility programme. He said the IMF Executive Board completed the third review of the programme in June 2026, resulting in the disbursement of US$31.7 million.

The Minister also disclosed that a US$211.5 million Resilience and Sustainability Facility had been approved to help Sierra Leone strengthen climate resilience and address long-term structural challenges.

Despite those gains, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura said the global oil shock had altered the country’s economic outlook. The Government consequently revised its 2026 economic growth projection from 4.5 percent to 4 percent.

Inflation, which had fallen considerably by the end of 2025, rose during the first half of 2026, reaching 14.8 percent in June. The increase was attributed mainly to higher fuel, transportation, housing and rental costs. Although foreign exchange reserves increased slightly and the Leone remained relatively stable, external pressures continued to affect government finances and economic activities.

Domestic revenue collected during the first six months of 2026 amounted to NLe10.3 billion, falling below the revised target. Improved income tax receipts, mining revenue and collections by Treasury Single Account agencies, however, partially offset weaker receipts from other sources.

The Government also received NLe1.4 billion in grants from development partners, including European Union budgetary support and financing for development projects. Total public expenditure during the period reached NLe16.4 billion, including spending on roads, infrastructure, rural water supply and preparations for the 2026 Population and Housing Census.

Under the revised fiscal framework, domestic revenue projections have been reduced by approximately NLe651 million to reflect weaker economic activity and lower-than-expected tax collections. Grants from development partners have been revised upwards following additional commitments from external partners.

Recurrent expenditure has increased by about NLe1.4 billion, mainly to finance fuel subsidies for Oil Marketing Companies and electricity subsidies for the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority. The Government maintained allocations for public-sector salaries and reaffirmed its commitment to financing the Free Quality School Education Programme, including school feeding.

The revised framework projects an overall budget deficit of 2.8 percent of Gross Domestic Product, compared with the original target of 2.3 percent. The deficit will be financed through foreign borrowing and additional domestic financing, alongside efforts to reduce borrowing from the Bank of Sierra Leone.

To improve revenue collection, the Government plans to broaden the Goods and Services Tax base, strengthen customs operations, introduce GST on digital services, improve mining-sector compliance and roll out 10,000 Electronic Cash Registers. It also intends to establish a Revenue Court to expedite tax disputes and prosecute tax evasion.

Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura said expenditure controls would be strengthened through tighter wage management, improved cash planning, transparent public spending and more rigorous project selection.

The Government has also secured a US$60 million trade finance facility from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa to support the importation of essential commodities. Negotiations are continuing for an additional US$100 million facility to strengthen fuel supplies.

Members of Parliament from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the opposition All People’s Congress commended the Minister of Finance and his team for the policies that helped stabilise the economy. They nevertheless called for stronger domestic revenue mobilisation, prudent expenditure management and greater accountability in the use of public funds.

The approved Supplementary Budget is expected to help the Government respond to emerging fiscal pressures, maintain critical services and protect Sierra Leoneans while preserving the economic gains recorded in recent years.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with traditional authorities, describing Paramount Chiefs as indispensable partners in maintaining peace, improving community security and promoting inclusive national development.

Dr. Jalloh made the statement on Friday, 31 July 2026, during the second day of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference on Security and Governance at the Bo-Kenema Highway Hall in Bo City.

Held under the theme, “Strengthening Chieftaincy for National Security and Governance,” the conference brought together Paramount Chiefs from across Sierra Leone, senior Government officials, traditional leaders, security representatives and other stakeholders.

Discussions focused on peace, national unity, security, local governance and development, as well as the need to strengthen cooperation among traditional authorities, Government institutions, local councils and the security sector.

Addressing participants, the Vice President said the chieftaincy institution remained central to Sierra Leone’s governance structure despite decades of constitutional, political and administrative reforms.

“Today, I joined Paramount Chiefs from across Sierra Leone on Day 2 of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference on Security and Governance, where we reaffirmed the indispensable role of traditional leaders in promoting peace, strengthening security and driving development,” Dr. Jalloh said.

He described Paramount Chiefs as custodians of peace and security within their chiefdoms and urged them to take security concerns seriously. He encouraged them to work closely with state institutions to identify and address potential threats before they escalate.

“Paramount Chiefs are the custodians of peace and security in their chiefdoms, so they have to take security issues very seriously,” he stated.

The Vice President said the responsibilities of Paramount Chiefs extended beyond preserving traditional customs, resolving community disputes and maintaining social order. He noted that traditional leaders also have an important role in supporting Government development programmes and creating an enabling environment for responsible private-sector investment.

Dr. Jalloh urged Paramount Chiefs to support initiatives in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and other priority sectors, noting that sustainable development requires cooperation among the Government, traditional authorities, businesses, investors and local communities.

“Development is not only about what Government is doing. There are also private-sector actors and investors coming into chiefdoms, and Paramount Chiefs have a responsibility to support and advance these programmes,” he said.

As Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance, Dr. Jalloh stressed that Paramount Chiefs remained important partners in improving service delivery, mobilizing local revenue, supporting investment and promoting community development.

He said traditional leaders were closely connected to their people and were therefore well positioned to identify local priorities, mobilize residents and support the implementation and monitoring of development projects.

“The Paramount Chiefs are direct representatives of their communities and key partners in ensuring that development reaches the people,” the Vice President said.

Dr. Jalloh encouraged Paramount Chiefs to maintain strong working relationships with local councils and ministries, departments and agencies to improve service delivery and strengthen revenue mobilization within their localities.

He maintained that effective coordination between traditional authorities and elected local councils was necessary to prevent duplication, resolve administrative challenges and ensure that Government programmes respond to the needs of communities.

Paramount Chiefs have historically played a significant role in customary land administration, dispute resolution, community mobilization, public safety and the maintenance of law and order. They also work closely with the Sierra Leone Police, the Office of National Security, district authorities and other institutions to prevent conflict and respond to emergencies.

Successive Governments have relied on traditional authorities to support national programmes, including public health campaigns, civil registration, agricultural development, education, disaster response and peacebuilding.

Even after the restoration of elected local councils under the Local Government Act of 2004, Paramount Chiefs have remained central to local governance, complementing councils in delivering public services and mobilizing communities.

Dr. Jalloh also called for an inclusive, legitimate and effective chieftaincy system. He highlighted concerns relating to the legitimacy of traditional authorities, chiefdom boundary issues and residency requirements for Paramount Chiefs, urging stakeholders to address them through constructive consultation and engagement.

The Vice President said strengthening the legitimacy and effectiveness of the chieftaincy institution would enhance public confidence, reduce local disputes and improve the ability of traditional leaders to support national peace and development.

He thanked the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs and the Ministry’s team for organizing the conference, describing it as an important platform for dialogue between the Government and traditional authorities.

According to Dr. Jalloh, the conference provided an opportunity for Paramount Chiefs to communicate their expectations to the Government while gaining a clearer understanding of their responsibilities in promoting national security, good governance and development.

He added that bringing traditional leaders together from different parts of Sierra Leone would help build relationships, encourage the exchange of experiences and strengthen national cohesion.

“When Paramount Chiefs from Falaba can meet with Paramount Chiefs from Kono, sit together, share experiences and understand each other, it promotes unity and national cohesion,” he said.

The conference was held at an important time as Sierra Leone moves towards the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections. With political activities expected to increase ahead of the polls, the Government has continued to emphasise the importance of peace, political tolerance, national unity and democratic stability.

Paramount Chiefs occupy a unique place within Sierra Leone’s constitutional and political system. Beyond exercising authority in their chiefdoms, the chieftaincy institution has formal representation in Parliament and continues to serve as a respected mechanism for resolving disputes and promoting community dialogue.

The influence of traditional leaders was especially important during Sierra Leone’s post-war reconstruction following the end of the civil conflict in 2002. Paramount Chiefs supported the restoration of local governance, facilitated reconciliation and helped rebuild trust within communities affected by years of violence and displacement.

Dr. Jalloh’s remarks underscored the Government’s recognition that sustainable peace, effective decentralization, responsible investment and inclusive development depend significantly on cooperation between state institutions and traditional authorities.

The Vice President concluded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening the chieftaincy institution and maintaining close cooperation with Paramount Chiefs to advance peace, security, effective governance, national cohesion and development across Sierra Leone.

Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, has declared that Sierra Leone urgently needs a new seaport, stating that the country’s existing port infrastructure is no longer capable of supporting the demands of the growing economy.

Responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament following the presentation of the 2026 Supplementary Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies, the Finance Minister acknowledged that congestion at the country’s main port has become a significant challenge to trade, revenue generation and economic expansion.

“The Port is too small for Sierra Leone’s economy. The country needs a new port. We need even more than one port. The Port is congested and we need a new port,” Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura told lawmakers, stressing that expanding the nation’s port infrastructure has become an economic necessity rather than a future aspiration.

His remarks came after he presented the Supplementary Budget to Parliament, outlining Government’s response to emerging fiscal challenges brought about by global economic shocks, particularly the impact of the Middle East crisis on international oil prices. The revised budget seeks to strengthen macroeconomic stability, protect livelihoods and improve domestic revenue mobilization while maintaining critical public services.

The Minister’s comments placed renewed attention on the strategic importance of Sierra Leone’s maritime infrastructure, particularly as Government intensifies efforts to increase customs revenue, improve trade facilitation and attract private investment.

The Supplementary Budget outlines several reforms aimed at strengthening customs administration and improving efficiency at the country’s ports. Those include the implementation of a Customs Revenue Enhancement Plan, expansion of risk-based inspections, increased post-clearance audits and measures to improve compliance in import and export operations.

Government also plans to fully operationalize the National Electronic Single Window and an end-to-end customs processing platform before the end of September 2026. The reforms are expected to speed up cargo clearance, improve coordination among border agencies, enhance transparency and reduce delays experienced by importers and exporters.

In addition, the National Revenue Authority will integrate the Integrated Tax Administration System with Electronic Cash Registers, commercial banks and SICPA’s Product Tracking System, while linking the ASYCUDA customs platform with the Fuel Marking System. Those reforms are designed to improve monitoring of imports, reduce revenue leakages and strengthen accountability at the country’s ports.

The Minister noted that Government is also strengthening oversight of petroleum imports by introducing a real-time integrity system to monitor revenue generated from the downstream petroleum sector and reconcile fuel imports with payments made by Oil Marketing Companies.

Although the Supplementary Budget focuses primarily on maintaining fiscal stability amid global economic uncertainty, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura’s call for a new port signals Government’s recognition that expanding maritime infrastructure will be essential to supporting future economic growth, increasing trade volumes and positioning Sierra Leone as a more competitive regional trading hub.

His statement is expected to reignite discussions on long-term investments in port infrastructure, with many stakeholders viewing expanded port capacity as critical to reducing congestion, facilitating commerce and unlocking the country’s economic potential.

As I stood overlooking nearly 3,000 hectares of precision rice cultivation in Tormabum on July 31, 2026,watching drones apply fertilizers and crop protection products with remarkable accuracy while the foundation is laid for solar-powered irrigation canals to carry life across the fields, I realized I was witnessing far more than another agricultural project. I was seeing a glimpse of Africa’s future.

I had the privilege of accompanying His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, on a visit to this remarkable initiative. It reminded me that transformative change often begins quietly, in a field, on a farm or along a newly constructed irrigation canal, before it reshapes economies and transforms lives.

For more than half a century, Africa has debated agricultural transformation through policy papers, development programmes, conferences and political declarations. I have been privileged to participate in that journey; as an agricultural economist at Michigan State University, later as Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and as co-author, with Dr. Patrick Kormawa, of Agribusiness for Africa’s Prosperity.

Despite those efforts, the continent continues to spend tens of billions of dollars every year importing food that we have the land, water, climate and human capital to produce ourselves. Rice alone accounts for one of Africa’s largest food import bills, leaving millions vulnerable to volatile global markets and external supply shocks.

The lesson from Tormabum could not be clearer.

Africa does not simply need more farming; it needs smarter farming. It needs climate-smart agribusiness built on technology, innovation and investment.

The partnership between Fambul Rice and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) demonstrates that large-scale precision agriculture is no longer beyond our reach. Modern machinery, satellite-guided land preparation, drone technology, renewable energy, digital monitoring and advanced irrigation systems are dramatically increasing productivity while making farming more efficient, climate-resilient and commercially viable.

As climate variability intensifies across Africa, precision agriculture is no longer a luxury. It is becoming essential for producing more food while using water, fertilizer and energy more efficiently.

Perhaps most importantly, projects like Tormabum are changing the image of agriculture itself.

Africa’s greatest agricultural challenge is no longer convincing young people that farming matters. It is convincing them that agriculture is one of the most exciting technology sectors of the future. Drones, artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, robotics, biotechnology, data analytics and precision irrigation have the potential to transform farming into a modern, knowledge-intensive industry capable of creating millions of skilled jobs while feeding a rapidly growing population.

The digital revolution offers Africa a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional development pathways. Just as mobile technology enabled Africa to bypass conventional banking infrastructure, digital agriculture can help us overcome decades of low productivity, fragmented farming systems and weak extension services. Precision agriculture, remote sensing, climate forecasting, digital advisory platforms and smart irrigation can fundamentally reshape how food is produced across the continent.

But technology alone is not enough.

Successful agricultural transformation requires integrated investments in roads, energy, irrigation, logistics, storage, agro-processing facilities and digital connectivity. Farmers cannot prosper if they cannot move their produce to markets, access reliable electricity for processing or secure dependable water supplies in an era of increasing climate uncertainty.

That is why the commitments secured at the Vienna Roundtable earlier this year are so significant. Development partners pledged approximately US$850 million for a portfolio of projects supporting the Feed Salone and Energy Transition agenda, including financing for the Koribondo–Tormabum road. It is also why we have developed decentralized energy services under the EU’s Salone Off Grid Renewable Energy Accelerator (SOGREA) and the Mission300 DARES, which will both provide electricity access to bout 1.5 million people are so critical.  Infrastructure investments such as these unlock agricultural potential by connecting production zones to markets, reducing transport costs and post-harvest losses, and transforming isolated farming communities into engines of economic growth.

Ultimately, this is about restoring Africa’s food sovereignty.

Yet the greatest opportunity lies beyond national borders.

Food security can no longer be viewed solely through a national lens. West Africa imports billions of dollars’ worth of rice annually despite possessing some of the world’s most fertile agricultural land. Too often, our countries compete rather than collaborate, while fragmented markets discourage the large-scale investments required to transform agriculture.

Regional integration offers a different path.

Through coordinated investment, harmonized standards, integrated value chains and cross-border infrastructure, West Africa can become a globally competitive agricultural powerhouse. Individually, our countries possess important comparative advantages. Collectively, we have the scale to attract global investors, technology providers and agribusiness leaders capable of transforming the region’s agricultural landscape.

This regional vision will move from aspiration to action at the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS), which Sierra Leone will host later this year. Working alongside West African Ministers of Agriculture, the Gates Foundation, development finance institutions and private-sector leaders, we are advancing a US$1 billion regional rice initiative designed to transform rice production across West Africa.

The ambition extends far beyond increasing yields. It is about reducing import dependence, strengthening food security, creating millions of jobs for young Africans, expanding regional trade and building globally competitive agricultural value chains that generate shared prosperity across the region.

Agriculture must no longer be viewed simply as a social sector deserving subsidies. It is an investment opportunity, an industrial strategy, a climate adaptation strategy and perhaps Africa’s greatest untapped engine of economic transformation.

The world is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital platforms and renewable energy are reshaping every sector of the global economy. Africa has a historic opportunity to ensure that agriculture becomes part of this technological revolution rather than remaining trapped in outdated production systems.

Tormabum gives us confidence that this transformation is not only possible—it is already underway.

It demonstrates that with visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, private-sector investment and modern technology, Africa can produce more of its own food, create better jobs for its young people and build more resilient economies.

The question before us is no longer whether this transformation can happen.

It is whether we have the courage, the urgency and the collective ambition to scale it across Sierra Leone, across West Africa and across the African continent.

If we seize this moment, Africa’s farms will do far more than feed our people. They will power new industries, create millions of decent jobs, strengthen regional integration, restore our food sovereignty and demonstrate to the world that Africa can lead—not follow—the next agricultural revolution.

About the Author: Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella

Chairman, Presidential Initiative on Climate change, Renewable Energy and Food Security and Special Envoy of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio for the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS).

Pavi Fort Al-Associates (SL) Ltd is constructing major irrigation and energy infrastructure to support a 5,000-hectare rice cultivation project in Torma Bum Chiefdom, Bonthe District, under the Government’s Feed Salone Initiative.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort Al-Associates, Alimu Sanu Barrie, provided an update on the project during President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s tour of the Torma Bum Rice Farm on Friday, 31 July 2026.

Pavi Fort Chairman said the company is developing a comprehensive irrigation system designed to support year-round rice cultivation and significantly increase agricultural productivity in the area.

He explained that the project includes the installation of five pump houses, each with a one-megawatt power requirement, to draw water from the river and distribute it across the rice fields. Pavi Fort is also constructing approximately 57 kilometres of irrigation canals to ensure that water reaches the cultivated areas, particularly during the dry season when the natural flow of water to the farms is limited.

The Chairman disclosed that the company would install a six-megawatt solar power system to operate the irrigation infrastructure. He added that President Bio had instructed that part of the electricity generated should also be supplied to the Torma Bum township for the benefit of residents.

Chairman Alimu Sanu Barrie further revealed that the President had directed the construction of a three-kilometre tarred road within the township to improve accessibility and support commercial and agricultural activities.

Providing an update on implementation, Chairman Alimu Sanu Barrie said the first two sectors, covering 2,000 hectares, are expected to be completed by April, while the remaining 3,000 hectares are scheduled for completion by June under the company’s implementation plan.

According to him, the infrastructure is expected to transform rice production at Torma Bum by increasing operational capacity from the current 20 per cent to about 90 per cent once the project is completed.

Alimu Sanu Barrie reaffirmed Pavi Fort Al-Associates’ commitment to the Feed Salone Initiative, describing the company as a major development partner providing the infrastructure required to ensure the project’s long-term success.

During the tour, President Bio inspected ongoing rice cultivation undertaken by Fambul Rice and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, as well as the irrigation canals and supporting infrastructure being constructed by Pavi Fort.

Addressing stakeholders, President Bio reiterated his Government’s determination to increase domestic food production and reduce Sierra Leone’s dependence on imported food.

“We should be able to cultivate what we eat. I invite the private sector to invest in agriculture. I am pleased to see Fambul Rice already producing for the market and I am impressed by the work the company has done here,” President Bio said.

The President noted that Sierra Leone possesses sufficient land, water resources and favourable climatic conditions to become a leading agricultural producer. He encouraged local entrepreneurs and foreign investors to take advantage of the opportunities available in the agricultural sector.

President Bio also commended the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces for supporting the Feed Salone Initiative through rice cultivation and encouraged the Sierra Leone Police to undertake similar agricultural projects.

He disclosed that the Government plans to construct the Koribondo–Torma Bum road to improve access, reduce investment risks and facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce to markets.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, briefed the President on the investments and ongoing developments at the Torma Bum Rice Farm. He thanked President Bio for his leadership and commitment to transforming agriculture into a major driver of food security and economic growth.

Paramount Chief of Bum Chiefdom, PC Alex Maada Kainpumu, expressed appreciation to President Bio for reviving the Torma Bum Rice Farm after more than four decades of neglect.

The irrigation, solar-energy and road infrastructure being developed by Pavi Fort is expected to expand commercial rice cultivation, create employment and position Torma Bum as a major agricultural production centre under the Feed Salone Initiative.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Sunday, August 2, 2026, officially welcomed the President of the Gabonese Republic, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and First Lady Zita Oligui Nguema upon their arrival at Freetown International Airport in Lungi for a three-day State Visit to Sierra Leone.

The Vice President received the visiting Head of State and his delegation on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, extending a warm welcome and reaffirming the strong friendship and growing diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and Gabon.

The State Visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries and create new opportunities for collaboration in governance, trade, investment, environmental conservation and regional development.

During his stay, President Oligui Nguema is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House. The discussions are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including economic development, regional peace and security, investment, and sustainable development.

The Gabonese leader will also meet with senior Government Ministers and representatives of the private sector to explore avenues for expanding economic and commercial partnerships between the two nations.

Beyond official engagements, President Oligui Nguema is expected to visit the renowned Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the Leicester Peak Viewing Platform, two of Sierra Leone’s most prominent tourism and conservation destinations.

Following the airport reception, President Oligui Nguema and First Lady Zita Oligui Nguema greeted senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries before completing arrival formalities.

The visit reflects the shared commitment of Sierra Leone and Gabon to deepening bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation on regional and continental priorities. Officials from both countries expressed optimism that the visit would reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two nations while paving the way for greater collaboration in promoting peace, prosperity and sustainable development across Africa.