Sierra Leone has received continental recognition for its progress in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), following high-level meetings of African trade ministers held in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria.

The recognition was announced during the 18th AfCFTA Council of Ministers of Trade Meeting in Abuja on 30 June and the 2nd AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in Lagos on 1 July, where the country’s implementation efforts were highlighted as a model for other African nations.

Leading Sierra Leone’s delegation was the Minister of Trade and Industry, who also serves as Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers of Trade, Investment and Industry. The meetings brought together trade ministers, senior government officials, regional economic communities, development partners and private sector representatives to review progress on AfCFTA implementation and promote digital trade across the continent.

Speaking at the Council of Ministers meeting, AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, commended Sierra Leone for successfully gazetting its AfCFTA Tariff Schedule under Category A (Trade in Goods), making it the 26th State Party to complete the process.

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He also praised Sierra Leone for becoming the first AfCFTA member state to conduct a comprehensive AfCFTA Readiness Assessment. According to the Secretary-General, the initiative has served as a model for other countries, with 47 State Parties subsequently requesting similar assessments.

The AfCFTA Secretariat further acknowledged its ongoing collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Trade and Industry on key implementation areas, including Trade in Services assessments, implementation of the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, support for the Digital Trade Protocol and the Investment Protocol.

The recognition reflects Sierra Leone’s growing role in advancing the objectives of the continental free trade agreement through national policy reforms and institutional preparedness.

The Secretary-General also commended Sierra Leone’s leadership within the Economic Community of West African States, highlighting the country’s contribution to promoting regional economic integration and harmonising trade policies across West Africa through its chairmanship of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers of Trade, Investment and Industry.

At the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in Lagos, Sierra Leone’s Trade Minister joined counterparts from Nigeria and Seychelles in a panel discussion on digital transformation. During the session, he outlined the country’s efforts to modernise trade infrastructure, improve digital connectivity and strengthen regulatory frameworks to facilitate e-commerce and trade in services.

While acknowledging existing infrastructure challenges, the minister called for greater regional collaboration and increased investment in digital innovation to maximise the opportunities presented by AfCFTA.

Sierra Leone’s recognition at both the Council of Ministers meeting and the Digital Trade Forum underscores the country’s commitment to implementing the AfCFTA Agreement, promoting regional integration and strengthening digital trade.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the AfCFTA Secretariat, ECOWAS, development partners and the private sector to expand market access, attract investment, create employment opportunities and support sustainable economic growth.