By Fatmata B Bah
The Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Honorable Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, on Wednesday, 16 April 2025 held a high-level engagement with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to discuss Sierra Leone’s ongoing Trade Policy Review and explore areas for deeper collaboration.
During the bilateral meeting held in Geneva, Minister Sesay, speaking on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, conveyed Sierra Leone’s appreciation for the WTO’s continuous technical support. He acknowledged the organization’s contributions to strengthening Sierra Leone’s capacities in key areas such as fisheries management, trade facilitation, and negotiations.
Minister Sesay emphasized that the priority sectors identified by the WTO particularly fisheries governance and trade facilitation closely align with Sierra Leone’s national development agenda, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to closer cooperation with the WTO and called for sustained support in several strategic areas including trade financing, e-commerce, digital trade, and climate-related trade policy integration.
He further highlighted Sierra Leone’s ambition to leverage trade as a tool for economic diversification and inclusive growth, noting the importance of aligning national policies with global trade standards to unlock new opportunities for investment and exports.
In her response, WTO Director-General Dr. Okonjo-Iweala commended Sierra Leone’s proactive engagement in the Trade Policy Review process, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening the country’s trade regime and enhancing its competitiveness on the global stage.
She applauded Sierra Leone’s efforts toward economic reform and emphasized the WTO’s continued dedication to supporting Least Developed Countries (LDCs), ensuring that global trade delivers benefits to ordinary citizens Dr. Okonjo-Iweala also underlined the importance of harmonizing regional trade laws especially concerning fisheries to better protect West Africa’s territorial waters and support sustainable livelihoods.
Reiterating the WTO’s readiness to provide technical assistance, she pledged ongoing support for Sierra Leone in trade negotiations, digital trade expansion, and capacity building for government officials and private sector actors.
The WTO chief also took the opportunity to commend Sierra Leone’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Dr. Lansana Gberie, for his vigorous representation of the country’s interests in WTO forums. She praised his leadership in articulating Sierra Leone’s positions during negotiations and contributing meaningfully to global trade discussions.
Both Minister Sesay and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala agreed that the meeting marked a new phase in their partnership, setting the stage for deeper collaboration and meaningful reforms, they committed to maintaining a regular dialogue aimed at translating trade policy commitments into practical results that benefit the people of Sierra Leone and the broader West African region.
The engagement comes at a pivotal moment as Sierra Leone continues its efforts to integrate more fully into the global economy, with a focus on inclusive growth, sustainable trade, and resilience in the face of global challenges.