Post a comment 
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially launched Sierra Leone’s AfCFTA Readiness Assessment Report and an updated National Trade Strategy on Monday, October 13, 2025.
The launch, attended at State House by His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), marks a continental milestone. Sierra Leone is now the first African country to complete, gazette, and present both a national schedule of commitments on trade in goods and a comprehensive AfCFTA Readiness Assessment.
“Trade within Africa is the future. With collective effort, we can create one of the world’s most dynamic economic blocs,” President Bio stated during the ceremony.
Secretary-General Mene commended the government for its achievement, describing Sierra Leone as a “model of readiness and reform.” He emphasized the disciplined policy coordination that positioned the country as a leader in the AfCFTA implementation process.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, highlighted the transformative potential of the AfCFTA to boost intra-African trade and industrialization. He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to a “From Policy to Practice” agenda that centers on empowering women and youth, strengthening regional value chains, and fostering private sector growth.
President Bio outlined recent reforms—including customs modernization and support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)—that demonstrate the country’s preparedness. He positioned trade integration as the definitive pathway to sustainable growth, job creation, and shared prosperity for Sierra Leone.
“We are equipping our young people with the education, technology, and skills they need to participate in expanded regional markets,” the President said, calling on the private sector to lead in manufacturing, agro-processing, and digital trade.
The newly launched documents provide a strategic roadmap. The Readiness Assessment evaluates Sierra Leone’s trade preparedness, while the Updated National Trade Strategy 2024–2030 aligns the nation’s development plans with AfCFTA principles to enhance continental competitiveness.
This milestone aligns with President Bio’s “Big Five Game Changers” agenda, which prioritizes initiatives like “Feed Salone,” Human Capital Development, and Youth Employment. The government has committed to deepening collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat and continuing reforms to address infrastructure and logistics bottlenecks.
