By: Mohamed J. Bangura
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Jeneba Bangura, has outlined four key priorities aimed at improving services and addressing challenges faced by Sierra Leoneans living abroad.
The priorities focus on service delivery, economic development, operational and administrative efficiency, and foreign policy coordination, which she said are intended to ensure that Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora remain connected to their country and receive the necessary support from government.
Madam Bangura made the disclosure on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown.
Speaking on efforts to improve the welfare of Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora, the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that living outside the country should not prevent citizens from accessing essential national services.
She said Sierra Leoneans abroad remain citizens of the country and should be able to enjoy their rights and privileges regardless of their country of residence.
According to Madam Bangura, service delivery remains a major priority, particularly in providing passports, national identity cards and other essential documents.
“They are Sierra Leoneans and must enjoy all privileges. It does not necessarily mean that you have to be in Sierra Leone before getting a passport or national ID card,” she said.
She explained that the Ministry is working to make consular services more accessible to Sierra Leoneans abroad by reducing the difficulties citizens face when they have to travel long distances or return to Sierra Leone to obtain basic documentation.
The Deputy Minister also identified economic development as a key priority, noting that Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora have an important role to play in national development through investment, skills, expertise and other contributions.
She said strengthening the relationship between government and the diaspora could create greater opportunities for Sierra Leoneans abroad to contribute to the country’s economic growth.
On operational and administrative efficiency, Madam Bangura said the Ministry is seeking to improve service delivery through greater use of digital platforms.
She said the objective is to ensure that government services are not only digitalized but also affordable and accessible to ordinary Sierra Leoneans living abroad.
According to her, digitalization will help reduce unnecessary delays while making it easier for citizens to communicate with diplomatic missions and access government services from wherever they reside.
The fourth priority, foreign policy coordination, is aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s cooperation with other countries and regional organizations while protecting the interests of Sierra Leoneans abroad.
Madam Bangura particularly highlighted Sierra Leone’s relationship with Guinea, describing the two countries as sister nations with strong historical and diplomatic ties.
She said the two governments regularly engage on issues affecting their citizens and matters of mutual interest.
She also recalled that Sierra Leone was recently invited to participate in the launch of Guinea’s new foreign policy, describing the invitation as an indication of the cordial relationship between the two countries.
“When we reach Guinea, we discuss issues that are affecting both countries,” she said.
Madam Bangura added that the Ministry is working to ensure that the lives and safety of Sierra Leoneans in Guinea and other parts of the world are protected.
She further encouraged Sierra Leoneans living in Guinea to register with the Sierra Leone Embassy.
According to her, registration enables the government and its diplomatic missions to know where Sierra Leonean citizens are located, making it easier to provide assistance during emergencies or when consular intervention is required.
She assured Sierra Leoneans abroad that the Ministry remains committed to improving consular services and strengthening diplomatic engagement to ensure that citizens receive protection and support.
Madam Bangura said the four priorities demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to building a more efficient, accessible and citizen-centred Foreign Service while ensuring that Sierra Leoneans abroad remain an integral part of the country’s development agenda.