Freetown, 10th September, 2026 – Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has engaged Guinean authorities in a strategic dialogue aimed at creating safer and more coordinated migration pathways for Sierra Leoneans seeking employment opportunities in Arab countries.
The talks reflect the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to promoting safe, orderly, and lawful labour migration, ensuring that citizens transiting through Guinea comply with immigration procedures and cross‑border requirements without unnecessary disruptions.
The engagement follows reports of Sierra Leonean workers facing delays and setbacks at Guinean entry points while en route to jobs abroad. Minister Koroma’s initiative seeks to strengthen coordination between both governments, providing a smoother and more transparent process for genuine prospective workers.
Minister Koroma highlighted Sierra Leone’s existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several Arab countries on the recruitment and employment of nationals. He cautioned, however, that while legally registered recruitment companies are authorized to facilitate such opportunities, unregistered operators continue to exploit workers through unauthorized and fraudulent practices.
He stressed the need to reinforce the regulatory framework to protect Sierra Leonean workers from exploitation, poor working conditions, and illegal recruitment schemes. As part of his new mandate, the Minister announced plans to establish a dedicated committee to oversee overseas employment and migration, ensuring professional coordination and stronger oversight.
The discussions underscored the importance of closer cooperation between Sierra Leone and Guinea in safeguarding lawful migration. Both sides agreed that Sierra Leonean workers travelling through Guinea must do so with proper documentation and in compliance with established immigration and employment requirements.
Minister Koroma reaffirmed that Sierra Leone remains committed to building transparent systems that protect workers while enhancing opportunities abroad.
