Freetown, 1st July 2026 – Sierra Leone has won continental recognition for its outstanding implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), following high-level meetings in Abuja and Lagos where the country’s progress was hailed as a benchmark for Africa’s integration agenda.
Representing Sierra Leone, the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry, who also chairs the ECOWAS Council of Ministers of Trade, Investment and Industry, led the delegation at 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. Both engagements brought together ministers, senior trade experts, regional blocs, development partners and private sector leaders to accelerate AfCFTA implementation and Africa’s digital trade transformation.
A major highlight came when AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene singled out Sierra Leone as one of the continent’s leading State Parties. He announced that Sierra Leone has successfully gazetted its AfCFTA Tariff Schedule under Category A (Trade in Goods), becoming the 26th State Party to achieve this milestone.
The Secretary-General further praised Sierra Leone as the first country to conduct a comprehensive AfCFTA Readiness Assessment, describing it as a pioneering initiative that has since inspired 47 other State Parties to request similar assessments.
The Secretariat also confirmed ongoing collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Trade and Industry on strategic interventions, including: Trade in Services assessment, women and Youth in Trade protocol, digital Trade Protocol support, investment Protocol implementation.
These initiatives underscore Sierra Leone’s growing reputation as a leader in translating AfCFTA objectives into practical national action.
The Secretary-General also applauded Sierra Leone’s strong leadership within ECOWAS, noting its proactive role in advancing regional economic integration and harmonizing trade policies across West Africa. As ECOWAS Council Chair, the Honourable Minister continues to provide strategic direction in promoting cooperation and industrial development.
At the Digital Trade Forum in Lagos, Sierra Leone’s Trade Minister joined counterparts from Nigeria and Seychelles in a high-level panel on digital transformation. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s progress in modernizing trade infrastructure, strengthening digital connectivity, and building regulatory frameworks to support e-commerce and services trade.
Acknowledging infrastructure gaps, he called for stronger regional cooperation and increased investment in digital innovation to unlock AfCFTA’s full potential. His intervention resonated with the Forum’s goal of building an inclusive, digitally connected African economy.
Sierra Leone’s active participation and recognition at both events reaffirm its commitment to AfCFTA implementation, regional integration, and digital transformation. The Ministry of Trade and Industry pledged to continue working with the AfCFTA Secretariat, ECOWAS, development partners and the private sector to harness opportunities that will expand markets, attract investment, create jobs and drive sustainable growth.
