By: Amara Kargbo
The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Sierra Leone on July 23, 2026, hosted a high-level reception in Freetown to commemorate Egypt’s National Day, bringing together senior government officials, Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of the Egyptian community in Sierra Leone.
Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, the event celebrated Egypt’s rich history and cultural heritage while providing an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm their longstanding friendship and commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
In her welcome remarks, the Egyptian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Rasha Soliman Mohi Eldin Soliman, described the occasion as a reflection of Egypt’s proud history and a celebration of the enduring partnership between the two nations.
The Ambassador highlighted the shared aspirations of Sierra Leone and Egypt for African unity, peace, resilience, and sustainable development. She noted that bilateral relations have witnessed significant growth, particularly following the landmark visit of President Julius Maada Bio to Cairo in March 2025, which she described as a turning point that opened new opportunities for deeper cooperation.
Among the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Egyptian Drug Authority and the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone. Ambassador Soliman said the agreement would strengthen pharmaceutical regulation, support efforts to combat counterfeit medicines, enhance professional capacity, and improve access to safe and affordable healthcare in Sierra Leone.
She further highlighted expanding cooperation between the two countries in areas such as defence, security, technical training, and institutional capacity-building. According to the Ambassador, Egypt remains committed to supporting Sierra Leone’s development priorities through practical partnerships that deliver meaningful benefits.
Ambassador Soliman also emphasized Egypt’s efforts to extend diplomatic engagement beyond Freetown through community outreach and sub-national cooperation, particularly in education and community development initiatives.
She praised the growing collaboration among African diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone, noting that the Egyptian Embassy, together with other African embassies, has played an important role in promoting consultation and unity among African representatives. She cited the successful celebration of Africa Day in Freetown as an example of the strength of African solidarity and collective diplomacy.
Reflecting on Egypt’s recent national achievements, the Ambassador highlighted the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum and preparations for the African Business Forum in New Alamein City, describing these developments as symbols of Egypt’s confidence, innovation, and commitment to promoting investment opportunities across Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, extended congratulations to the Government and people of Egypt on their National Day.
Minister Kabba described the celebration as a commemoration of a significant milestone in Egypt’s modern history and praised the country’s historic contribution to African liberation, regional cooperation, and Pan-Africanism.
He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s appreciation for its longstanding friendship with Egypt and commended Egypt’s support in key sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, water resource management, and defence.
The Minister also echoed the importance of President Bio’s visit to Cairo, describing it as a milestone that has created new avenues for strategic cooperation between the two countries.
He welcomed the growing partnership in the pharmaceutical sector, stating that collaboration between the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone and the Egyptian Drug Authority would contribute significantly to strengthening Sierra Leone’s healthcare system.
Minister Kabba further expressed Sierra Leone’s interest in benefiting from Egypt’s expertise in irrigation and agribusiness as the country continues efforts to improve food security and agricultural productivity.
He commended Ambassador Soliman for her dedication to deepening Sierra Leone-Egypt relations and for promoting African unity through her diplomatic engagements, particularly her contribution to Africa Day celebrations in Freetown.
The reception concluded with both countries reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation within the framework of the African Union, the United Nations, and other international platforms. Sierra Leone and Egypt pledged to continue working together to address shared challenges, promote peace, and advance sustainable development.
The event ended with renewed commitments toward building a stronger and more productive partnership between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Arab Republic of Egypt.