State House, Freetown – President Dr Julius Maada Bio on Monday, 3rd August, 2026, hosted Gabonese Republic President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema at State House for high-level bilateral talks. The two leaders described the talks as the start of a “more ambitious chapter” in Sierra Leone-Gabon relations. The two heads of state held extensive discussions and agreed to strengthen cooperation through a structured partnership on natural resources, agriculture, maritime security, trade, and democratic governance.
President Bio welcomed President Oligui Nguema and his delegation and highlighted the historical and symbolic links between Freetown and Libreville. He said the two capitals were founded as beacons of freedom and hope and this shared heritage reflects common values like liberty, dignity and African resilience. President Bio congratulated President Oligui Nguema on his election and noted Gabon’s recent return to constitutional governance, commending his leadership in maintaining stability and pursuing institutional renewal during a sensitive transition period.
President Bio suggested three immediate areas of cooperation to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible results. First, he demanded the implementation of the Joint Communiqué on Cooperation between Sierra Leone and Gabon. Secondly, he called for the organisation of collaboration among important sectors, especially natural resources, agriculture and maritime security. Third, he called on the Foreign Ministries of the two countries to prepare a time-bound roadmap for implementation of joint activities to guide and hold them accountable.
President Bio said Sierra Leone is ready to share its practical experiences in areas like democratic governance, decentralisation, anti-corruption, public sector reform and institutional accountability. He said the partnership should be judged by tangible results that improve the lives of citizens, not by empty words.
The talks focused on economic opportunities. President Bio pointed out the potential for increased trade and investment through the strengthening of linkages between investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and the private sector. He welcomed Gabonese investment in agriculture, mining, fisheries, energy, infrastructure, tourism and logistics and urged Sierra Leonean companies to seek out commercial openings in Gabon. Both leaders agreed on the need for practical steps to boost air connectivity, facilitate travel and remove barriers to trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. They identified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a platform for enhancing continental economic integration.
On resource governance, President Bio called for collaboration to ensure that extractive wealth generates jobs, public revenue, industrialisation and higher living standards. He stressed the need to prudently exploit natural wealth to benefit both populations highlighting cooperation in mining governance, petroleum regulation, local content policies, resource transparency and environmental management.
President Bio encouraged ministers and technical officials to conclude priority agreements, designate key areas, and establish clear timetables to ensure implementation. By setting clear milestones and accountability, the two governments hope to quickly turn agreement into action, with success measured by tangible improvements in public services and economic opportunities.
President Bio, on behalf of the Government and People of Sierra Leone, presented an artefact to President Oligui Nguema as a symbol of the long-standing friendship between the two countries. The gesture highlighted the personal and national ties that the leaders say will underpin the partnership.
President Oligui Nguema, in return, thanked President Bio for the warm welcome and also expressed gratitude for Sierra Leone’s support during his inauguration in May 2025. Bilateral talks provided a suitable occasion to discuss existing cooperation and to find new areas of formal cooperation, he said. The Gabonese leader stressed the importance of increasing private sector investment and facilitating cross-border business.
President Oligui Nguema emphasised the common interests of maritime security and sustainable resource management. He stressed the importance of improving cooperation in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and strengthening the protection and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources in the Gulf of Guinea. “Regional coordination is key to fighting maritime crime and protecting the livelihoods of coastal communities,” the Gabonese president said.
President Oligui Nguema said ongoing dialogue was the best way to address tensions involving the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) on regional peace and security, and stressed the importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He expressed gratitude to Sierra Leone and other African countries for their support of Gabon’s representation on the African Union Peace and Security Council, which he said is key to collective responses to continental security challenges.
At the end of the meeting, both Presidents reaffirmed their determination to transform their long-standing friendship into a strategic partnership for regional stability, economic growth and sustainable development. The relevant ministries and agencies were tasked to work out the details, timelines and report progress with a view to ensuring that bilateral cooperation brings measurable benefit to the peoples of Sierra Leone and Gabon.
