His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has highlighted Sierra Leone’s emergence as a continental leader in trade reform, announcing the country’s historic achievement as the first African nation to complete and gazette its National AfCFTA Readiness Assessment and Schedule of Commitments in Davos, Switzerland on 21 January 2026.
He used the occasion to make a strong case for investors to partner with Sierra Leone’s expanding digital and industrial economy.
Speaking as Co-Chair of the Forum Friends of the AfCFTA Breakfast Meeting on the margins of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos 2026 on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, President Bio described the milestone as the result of bold national leadership shaped through years of recovery from civil war, the Ebola epidemic, and global economic shocks.
The President noted that while the achievement is historic, Sierra Leone does not seek to stand alone. Rather, he said, the country aims to demonstrate what is possible when African nations treat the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) not merely as a trade agreement, but as a blueprint for shared prosperity. He emphasised that Sierra Leone’s readiness process went beyond compliance, serving instead as a data-driven national growth strategy that clearly identifies strengths, bottlenecks, and investment opportunities.
On digital trade, President Bio underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to building the digital foundations necessary for the success of the AfCFTA. He explained that the Readiness Assessment revealed the urgency of transitioning away from paper-based systems, prompting reforms to streamline customs operations through digital platforms, reduce transaction costs, and harmonise digital trade regulations with other African Union member states. These measures, he said, are creating a “digital highway” that enables Sierra Leonean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access regional and continental markets with ease.
Addressing industrial capacity, the President reaffirmed his government’s focus on value addition rather than the export of raw commodities. He disclosed that Sierra Leone is prioritizing sectors such as agribusiness and light manufacturing, supported by the establishment of Special Economic Zones and industrial parks equipped with ready infrastructure and fiscal incentives. Targeted investments in skills development and technical training, he added, are ensuring that the workforce is prepared for industrialized production and resilient supply chains.
President Bio also emphasized the central role of the private sector in driving trade under the AfCFTA. He described the Readiness Assessment as a transparent investment prospectus that reduces uncertainty while clearly outlining policy reforms and market opportunities. Through sustained public–private dialogue, improved access to trade finance, and the structuring of bankable, data-backed projects, the government, he said, is actively de-risking investments to attract both domestic and foreign capital.
In his concluding remarks, President Bio positioned Sierra Leone’s proactive AfCFTA approach as a model for the continent, stressing that the country has moved decisively from potential to tangible economic activity. He invited partners and investors to join Sierra Leone on its transformation journey, declaring that the nation is open for business, with real opportunities and a clear roadmap for sustainable growth.