By: Amara Kargbo
Canada and Sierra Leone have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following the first official Canada Day celebration hosted by the Canadian High Commission in Freetown.
The event, held on July 10, 2026, at the Freetown International Conference Centre’s Bintumani Hall, was co-hosted by Canada’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Myriam Montrat, and Mr. Franklyn Brima Fawundu, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It brought together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, business leaders, and civil society representatives to celebrate the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
The celebration marked the first full-scale Canada Day reception hosted in Sierra Leone under the tenure of High Commissioner Montrat and served as an opportunity to reaffirm the two nations’ shared commitment to democracy, sustainable development, economic cooperation, and people-to-people relations.
Addressing guests, High Commissioner Montrat described the relationship between Canada and Sierra Leone as one rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared values.
“The strongest partnerships are built on trust, respect, and shared ambition,” she said.
She highlighted Canada’s continued support for Sierra Leone’s development, noting that Canadian official development assistance totalled CAD 18.5 million during the 2024–2025 fiscal year. The funding has supported initiatives in women’s and girls’ health, education, gender equality, and human rights.
The High Commissioner also underscored the growing economic relationship between the two countries, revealing that bilateral trade reached CAD 22.6 million in 2025, representing an 11 percent increase over the previous year. While welcoming the progress, she stressed that there is significant potential to expand commercial ties through increased trade, investment, and private-sector partnerships.
On defence cooperation, she announced that Canada has increased training opportunities for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) by 50 percent since 2024, while also expanding access to leadership development programmes for commissioned officers and non-commissioned personnel.
High Commissioner Montrat further commended the staff of the Canadian High Commission in Freetown and the Honorary Consulate for their professionalism and dedication in strengthening relations between the two countries.
Responding on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, Deputy Director General Franklyn Brima Fawundu congratulated the Government and people of Canada on their national day and expressed appreciation for Canada’s longstanding partnership with Sierra Leone.
He described Canada as a trusted friend whose support has contributed significantly to national development through investments in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, food security, democratic governance, and institutional capacity building.
Fawundu also reflected on the historical links between the two countries, recalling the connection between Nova Scotia and the founding of Freetown by formerly enslaved Black Loyalists in the late 18th century. He said that this shared history continues to provide a strong foundation for modern diplomatic and cultural relations.
“Canada has remained a valued friend and trusted partner of Sierra Leone,” Fawundu said, adding that the Sierra Leonean diaspora in Canada continues to serve as a vital bridge between the two nations.
He welcomed Canada’s growing engagement across Africa and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including trade, investment, renewable energy, infrastructure development, innovation, education, and capacity building.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment by both countries to strengthen diplomatic relations, expand economic cooperation, and promote sustainable development through continued collaboration.
Offering the final toast of the evening, Fawundu expressed optimism about the future of the partnership, saying:
“May the friendship between Sierra Leone and Canada continue to grow from strength to strength.”
The celebration underscored the enduring partnership between Canada and Sierra Leone and highlighted the shared determination of both governments to build stronger economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties for the benefit of their peoples.