The Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry, Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, led Sierra Leone’s delegation to the 3rd Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM) held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 19th to 20th June 2025. The meeting brought together trade representatives from all 56 Commonwealth member states to discuss pressing global trade issues and collaborative economic strategies.
Key discussions centered around the current state of global trade, the growing impact of trade conflicts on intra-Commonwealth commerce, and the Commonwealth’s role in strengthening regional economic frameworks, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while reinforcing broader multilateral systems.
Minister Alpha Ibrahim Sesay highlighted Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing sustainable economic development through: Encouraging private sector investment via innovative financing models; promoting public-private partnerships in critical economic sectors; implementing policies that expand energy access, with a focus on renewable energy investments, supply chain development, and technology transfer.
He also addressed existing inequalities in energy access across the Commonwealth, recommending the adoption of a Just Transition plan that would support Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and manufacturers in adapting to green energy and low-carbon development pathways.
Minister Sesay acknowledged the efforts of Sierra Leone’s senior trade officials, with special commendation given to Chief Director Emmanuel Billy Konjoh for his outstanding representation of Sierra Leone during negotiations and discussions.
The Minister reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s continued support for strengthening Commonwealth trade cooperation and emphasized the country’s readiness to harness regional opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth.