Sierra Leone has sent a message of economic recovery and renewed appeal to international investors at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) Summit in London. The delegation was led by Minister of Finance Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura was at high level sessions at the Hilton London Metropole on July 2, 2026, for the summit theme, “From Vision to Velocity: Driving Africa’s Next Wave of Growth and Leadership.”
Minister Bangura, in a keynote address that set the tone of the summit as a clarion call for action, called on African leaders to translate thinking into policy and investment results. He said the changing global realities presented Africa with a historic opportunity, adding that Africa’s natural wealth, youthful population and growing markets could drive rapid development if matched by stronger institutions, deeper regional integration and bold leadership. “Africa has what the world needs,” he said. He stressed that African countries should act boldly, bravely and inventively to take advantage of this opportunity.
Speaking to the platform, Minister Bangura said the economic approach of Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio is predicated on five strategic pillars, namely: Feed Salone, human capital development; youth employment; infrastructure and technology; and effective public service. He painted a country that was shedding its stories of dependency and moving to a destination for trade and innovation investment. It was a message for fiscal discipline, transparency and better domestic revenue mobilisation.
He said Sierra Leone had made measurable progress in its macroeconomic performance. He said signs that the country’s economic policies were working included declining inflation, stability in the exchange rate, lower interest rates and continued primary fiscal surpluses. “Having strong fundamentals and avoiding unforced policy errors is the best insurance against system stress,” he said, reiterating the government’s focus on prudent management of policies to retain and build investor confidence.
Sierra Leone’s attendance at the summit was more than a keynote. A parallel Sierra Leone Economic and Investment Roundtable on the theme “Driving Fiscal Reform and Investment for Sustainable Growth” further engaged potential partners. The Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie and Chief Economist of the Ministry of Finance Alimamy Bangura spoke at length about the government’s agenda for fiscal reform, improving the macroeconomic outlook and creating more investment opportunities in strategic sectors.
In their presentations, they talked of past successes such as higher tax revenues, lower taxes, improved currency stability and a better climate for the private sector. The government has said the gains are not aid but part of a broader effort to make Sierra Leone a competitive place for business and investment. In the evening, the delegation met with senior government officials, international investors, development partners, and private-sector leaders to build strategic alliances and promote the country’s reform program.
Speakers at the summit also discussed issues that are continent-wide in line with Sierra Leone’s policy priorities. Minister Bangura and other delegates highlighted value addition to natural resources, deeper intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and greater investment in young people as the next phase of growth for Africa. The call for downstream processing industries to allow countries to create jobs, keep more value in the continent and boost export revenues was echoed at panels on innovative financing and public-private partnerships.
A Case Study of Recent Macroeconomic Performance Resilience in Sierra Leone The government’s disciplined fiscal reforms and macroeconomic coordination have helped restore stability after a period of fiscal strain and currency depreciation, despite significant shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Officials cited a steep fall in inflation to 4.4% in December 2025, the lowest in 20 years, and a steep fall in borrowing costs, which they said helped boost investor confidence in the economic fundamentals of the country.
“The strong participation of the delegation at the ABLA Summit is a clear sign of the government’s commitment to keep the momentum of reform going, while actively seeking capital and partnerships to accelerate development. Sierra Leone was trying to move away from a perception of need to one of opportunity and partnership, emphasising fiscal discipline, better macroeconomic indicators and real investment opportunities.
Minister Bangura rounded off his remarks at the summit with a note of hope: economic leadership for a transformed Africa cannot be a dream for the future, it has to start today. With a reform agenda in place and renewed engagement with global investors, Sierra Leone is well positioned to spearhead the next wave of growth on the continent.
