By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
President Julius Maada Bio hosted H.E. Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, at State House on October 13, 2025, ahead of the Sierra Leone Regional AfCFTA Conference.
According to the President’s office, the AfCFTA is viewed as a strategic opportunity for Sierra Leone to accelerate economic growth, diversify exports, and empower key sectors such as women, youth, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the African continent.
The AfCFTA aims to create a single, unified market for Africa, promoting economic integration, trade, and investment. By leveraging the AfCFTA, Sierra Leone hopes to enhance its global competitiveness and attract investments that will stimulate economic development.
The Sierra Leone Regional AfCFTA Conference is expected to bring together stakeholders from across the region to discuss the opportunities and challenges of implementing the AfCFTA. The conference will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, building partnerships, and identifying strategies to harness the potential of the AfCFTA for the benefit of Sierra Leone and the wider region.
The visit by the AfCFTA Secretary-General underscores the organization’s commitment to supporting member states in implementing the agreement and achieving its objectives.
