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President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has positioned Sierra Leone as a continental leader in trade reform, announcing the country’s historic achievement as the first African nation to complete and gazette its National AfCFTA Readiness Assessment and Schedule of Commitments, while strongly encouraging investors to partner with Sierra Leone’s expanding digital and industrial economy.
Speaking as Co-Chair of the Forum Friends of the AfCFTA Breakfast Meeting on the margins of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos 2026, President Bio described the milestone as the result of bold national leadership shaped by years of recovery from civil war, the Ebola epidemic, and successive global economic shocks.
The President noted that while the achievement was historic, Sierra Leone did not seek to stand alone. Instead, he said the country aims to demonstrate what is possible when African states treat the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) not merely as a trade agreement, but as a blueprint for shared prosperity.
He emphasized that Sierra Leone’s readiness process went beyond compliance, serving as a data-driven national growth strategy that clearly identifies strengths, constraints, and priority investment opportunities.
On digital trade, President Bio affirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to building the digital foundations necessary for the AfCFTA to succeed. He explained that the Readiness Assessment revealed the urgent need to move away from paper-based systems, prompting reforms to digitize customs procedures, reduce transaction costs, and harmonize digital trade regulations with those of other African Union member states.
These measures, he said, are creating a “digital highway” that enables Sierra Leonean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access regional and continental markets with greater ease.
Addressing industrial capacity, the President reaffirmed his government’s focus on value addition rather than the export of raw commodities. He disclosed that Sierra Leone is prioritizing sectors such as agribusiness and light manufacturing, supported by the establishment of Special Economic Zones and industrial parks equipped with ready infrastructure and attractive fiscal incentives.
Targeted investments in skills development and technical training, he added, are ensuring that the country’s workforce is prepared for industrial production and resilient supply chains.
President Bio also emphasized the central role of the private sector in driving trade under the AfCFTA. He described the Readiness Assessment as a transparent prospectus for investors, reducing uncertainty and clearly outlining policy reforms and commercial opportunities.
Through sustained public-private dialogue, improved access to trade finance, and the structuring of bankable, data-backed projects, the government is actively de-risking investments to attract both domestic and foreign capital.
In his concluding remarks, President Bio positioned Sierra Leone’s proactive AfCFTA approach as a model for the continent, stressing that the country has moved decisively from potential to tangible economic activity. He invited development partners and investors to join Sierra Leone on its transformation journey, declaring that the nation is open for business, with real opportunities and a clear roadmap for sustainable growth.
