Foreign Affairs Minister Swaray Pushes Sierra Leone’s Foreign Missions to Pursue Economic Opportunities
Kanja Sesay Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has placed economic diplomacy at the centre of his foreign policy agenda, saying Sierra Leone’s international relationships must translate into tangible economic opportunities for its people.
Speaking at a diplomatic briefing and cocktail at the Foreign Office in Tower Hill, Freetown, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Swaray told members of the diplomatic community that the country’s engagement with international partners must go beyond traditional diplomacy to attract investment, expand trade, facilitate technology transfer and develop skills and productive capacity.
“Sierra Leone’s diplomacy must deliver for Sierra Leone,” Swaray declared. The Minister said his approach would be anchored in the country’s national interests and aligned with the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030.
Swaray said Sierra Leone remains open to investment, technology, market access, development finance and long-term commercial partnerships, while stressing that international engagement must respect national sovereignty, the rule of law and equal opportunity.
He also wants Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions abroad to assume a more active economic role by identifying opportunities, connecting investors and international partners with relevant institutions and helping strengthen confidence in the country’s investment potential.
However, Swaray stressed that attracting investment alone would not be enough. “The quality of growth matters as much as its scale,” he said.
According to the Minister, investment should strengthen Sierra Leone’s productive capacity, develop the skills of its citizens and create sustainable economic opportunities.
Economic diplomacy forms part of a broader reform agenda outlined by the Minister. His other priorities include peace, institutional balance and accountability; citizen protection and legal migration; diaspora and consular services; and regional, multilateral and community engagement.
Swaray also pledged to modernise Sierra Leone’s Foreign Service through greater professionalism and accountability, increased digital service delivery and stronger coordination across government.
Improving consular and other services available to Sierra Leoneans living abroad is also expected to form part of the reform agenda.
The engagement brought together members of the diplomatic and consular corps, alongside representatives from the media, civil society and other stakeholders.
Swaray described the meeting as the beginning of regular and constructive engagement with Sierra Leone’s international partners.
The event also provided an opportunity for diplomats and domestic stakeholders to exchange views on the country’s international priorities and potential areas for practical cooperation. “I have not come this evening to conclude a conversation, but to begin one,” Swaray told the gathering.
Before his appointment to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Swaray served in other government positions, including as Minister of Information and Communications and Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security.
During his tenure at the Information Ministry, Sierra Leone repealed its longstanding criminal libel law and organised a media investment and viability conference aimed at strengthening the country’s media sector.
At the Labour Ministry, his tenure also coincided with the enactment of the Social Protection Act 2025, according to the information provided.
At Foreign Affairs, Swaray is now seeking to translate his focus on institutional reform and delivery into Sierra Leone’s international engagement, with economic diplomacy emerging as a major priority of his early agenda.