Ibrahim Sesay, Minister of Trade and Industry and Rasha Suleiman, Egypt's ambassador to FreetownIbrahim Sesay, the Minister of Trade and Industry of Sierra Leone, met with Rasha Suleiman, Egypt’s ambassador to Freetown, to discuss specific measures to improve the two countries’ trade and economic ties. The goal of the negotiations is to translate high-level engagement into useful commercial cooperation, building on the momentum created by President Julius Maada Bio’s March 2025 visit to Egypt.
One of the main recommendations that came out of the meeting was to hold a joint Egypt-Sierra Leone Business Forum soon. The forum is intended to serve as a venue for direct communication between businesses and industrial organisations from both nations, enabling them to share information about potential trade and investment opportunities, find joint ventures, and establish new avenues for collaboration and trade.
The significance of fortifying institutional ties between the Chambers of Commerce in Egypt and Sierra Leone was also emphasised by both parties. Better access to regional markets, cross-sectoral expertise sharing, and marketing campaigns showcasing Egyptian goods across Africa are all anticipated benefits of closer coordination for investors and business executives. Better institutional connections, according to officials, would enable more seamless collaborations and offer useful support to businesses looking for international opportunities.
The meeting reviewed plans to relaunch an Egyptian trade exhibition in Sierra Leone, an initiative recognised for its potential to showcase a wide array of Egyptian goods and services to Sierra Leonean buyers and regional partners. Organisers envisage the exhibition including cultural and artistic performances to reflect the historical and people-to-people connections underpinning the two countries’ relationship.
Ambassador Suleiman reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to deepening cooperation across developmental and economic fields in ways that serve both nations’ strategic interests. She highlighted the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a framework to unlock broader commercial opportunities, and urged greater private-sector engagement to capitalise on those opportunities. Both delegations agreed to maintain momentum and work toward concrete programmes that can expand trade, investment and institutional cooperation in the months ahead.
