The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio has received the ‘African of the Year’ by African Leadership Magazine in Mauritius in Port Louis, Mauritius.

During the awarding ceremony, the President of the Island nation, Prithvirajsing Roopun congratulated President Bio on his recent achievement and called for deepening bilateral ties between Mauritius and Sierra Leone.

The two leaders had met before the award ceremony at the Mauritian State House where they discussed plans to work together in areas of agriculture, tourism, education and information technology.

The Mauritian president commended President Bio for his commitment to increasing access to education.

On his part, President Bio thanked his Mauritian counterpart and the people of Mauritius. He promised that both countries will collaborate at both regional and international levels.

President Bio in December 2022 won the African of the Year award after 68 per cent of the total votes polled were in his favour. Over 15,000 voters participated in the voting process with over 1 million active engagements during the voting period.

The Magazine awarded President Lazarus Chakwera of Zambia in 2021.