Francess Virginia Anderson and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
In a significant diplomatic ceremony, Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sierra Leone to Türkiye, presented her letter of credence to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
During this formal occasion, Ambassador Anderson conveyed a goodwill message from Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, emphasising the importance of the relationship between the two nations. The presentation of ambassadorial credentials is a moment steeped in diplomatic tradition, marking the official beginning of an ambassador’s role as the representative of their nation in a foreign land.
This ceremony symbolises the recognition of the ambassador’s authority and serves as a foundation for future cooperation and dialogue between the two countries. Sierra Leone and Türkiye have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1971, with significant developments in their bilateral ties in recent years. The Turkish Embassy in Freetown commenced operations on February 1, 2018, followed by Sierra Leone’s establishment of an embassy in Ankara in early 2020. As of the end of 2024, the bilateral trade volume between the two nations reached an impressive $83 million. Türkiye primarily exports flour, sugar, iron and steel products, cement, various food items, cables, and plastic wraps to Sierra Leone, while imports from Sierra Leone consist mainly of hulk, titanium, and leather goods. Additionally, Turkish Airlines operates three weekly flights from Istanbul to Freetown, enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
As the second resident ambassador since the Sierra Leonean mission was established in Türkiye, Ambassador Anderson expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Turkish government and its people for their warm reception. She highlighted the substantial potential for expanding bilateral trade relations and volumes, which she believes could significantly contribute to economic growth and cooperation between the two nations. Ambassador Anderson expressed her commitment to working closely with Türkiye to solidify and enhance the relationship. In her address, she announced her ambitious plan to organise the inaugural Sierra Leone Trade and Investment Summit in Türkiye.
This summit aims to foster economic development by bringing together business leaders, government officials, and industry experts. The event is intended to create networking opportunities and collaborations that could lead to exploring new markets, establishing partnerships, and increasing exports. Such initiatives are expected to generate job creation and stimulate economic activities not only in Sierra Leone and Türkiye but also among their international partners.
In response, President Erdoğan congratulated Ambassador Anderson on her appointment and the presentation of her credentials. He underscored the importance of increasing trade volume between Türkiye and Sierra Leone, noting the critical role Turkish investors play in the development of key sectors in Sierra Leone, such as airport infrastructure, mining, and electricity. He encouraged Ambassador Anderson to focus on ratifying and implementing pending agreements between the two countries, emphasising that strengthening this relationship could serve as a model for attracting further investment. The meeting between the two dignitaries marks a promising step toward enhanced collaboration, paving the way for a brighter economic future for both Sierra Leone and Türkiye.
