By Alusine Sesay
Freetown, August 4, 2026 — Sierra Leone and Gabon have concluded a three‑day State Visit with a landmark agreement to transform their longstanding friendship into a structured partnership, setting the stage for deeper cooperation across governance, trade, and sustainable development.
President Julius Maada Bio formally welcomed Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and his delegation at State House in Freetown, where the two leaders held private talks before engaging in bilateral discussions with their respective teams. The visit culminated in the signing of a Joint Communiqué by the Foreign Ministers of both nations, outlining priority areas of collaboration and reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.
In his remarks, President Bio congratulated President Oligui Nguema on Gabon’s peaceful return to constitutional governance, describing the transition as a milestone for democratic progress in Africa. He emphasised that the visit marked “the beginning of a more ambitious chapter” in Sierra Leone–Gabon relations, proposing the establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation and a time‑bound roadmap to ensure agreements deliver tangible results.
President Bio identified agriculture, mining, fisheries, energy, infrastructure, tourism, and logistics as sectors with significant potential for investment and partnership. He also highlighted opportunities in climate finance, forest conservation, marine protection, and digital transformation, stressing that collaboration should extend beyond government to include private sector engagement, trade missions, and investment promotion.
President Oligui Nguema welcomed the initiative, commending Sierra Leone’s leadership and expressing appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to his delegation. He underscored the importance of dialogue, mutual trust, and constructive engagement in addressing Africa’s challenges, while reaffirming Gabon’s commitment to regional integration through the African Union and ECOWAS. He also stressed the need for joint efforts to combat illegal fishing, strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and promote sustainable resource management.
The State Visit concluded with a banquet at Lumley Beach attended by senior government officials, diplomats, and invited guests. The event celebrated the growing friendship between the two nations and symbolised their determination to transform historical ties into a strategic partnership that promotes peace, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that cooperation between Freetown and Libreville evolves into a structured, results‑oriented partnership that delivers concrete benefits for their citizens and contributes to continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
On Tuesday, August 4, President Bio said, “Fatima and I accompanied His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President of the Gabonese Republic, and his wife Her Excellency Zita Oligui Nguema, on a tour of the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, following a successful visit to our beloved Sierra Leone.”
“On behalf of the people of Sierra Leone, we sincerely appreciate your visit and look forward to working closely to strengthen the relationship between our nations.”