AYV News, August 5, 2026
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the President of the Gabonese Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, have agreed to establish a structured strategic partnership aimed at deepening cooperation between Sierra Leone and Gabon in key sectors, including natural resources, agriculture, maritime security, trade and democratic governance.
The agreement was reached during high-level bilateral talks at State House in Freetown on Monday, where President Bio welcomed his Gabonese counterpart on an official visit.
Describing the visit as the beginning of “a more ambitious chapter” in relations between the two countries, President Bio said Sierra Leone and Gabon share a rich historical heritage and common aspirations for sustainable development, regional stability and African prosperity.
He noted that both Freetown and Libreville were founded as symbols of freedom and hope, reflecting shared values of liberty, dignity and resilience.
President Bio congratulated President Oligui Nguemaon his election and Gabon’s peaceful return to constitutional governance, commending his leadership in promoting national stability and institutional renewal during the country’s political transition.
To strengthen bilateral relations, President Bio proposed three immediate priorities: the operationalisation of the Sierra Leone-Gabon Joint Communiqué for Cooperation, the launch of structured collaboration in natural resources, agriculture and maritime security, and the development of a time-bound implementation roadmap by the foreign ministries of both countries.
“Our longstanding friendship should now evolve into a structured and results-oriented strategic partnership,” President Bio said.
He also reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness to share its experiences in democratic governance, decentralisation, anti-corruption, public sector reform and institutional accountability.
The President highlighted opportunities to expand trade and investment by strengthening collaboration between investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and private sector institutions in both countries.
He encouraged Gabonese investment in agriculture, mining, fisheries, energy, infrastructure, tourism and logistics, while also urging Sierra Leonean businesses to explore commercial opportunities in Gabon.
President Bio further called for improved air connectivity and measures to facilitate travel, trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, stressing the importance of maximising opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He also advocated stronger collaboration in mining governance, petroleum regulation, local content, resource transparency and environmental management to ensure that natural resources contribute to job creation, industrialisation and improved living standards.
As a symbol of friendship, President Bio presented President Oligui Nguema with a commemorative artefact on behalf of the Government and People of Sierra Leone.
In his response, President Oligui Nguema thanked President Bio for the warm reception and expressed appreciation for Sierra Leone’s support during his inauguration in May 2025.
He said the discussions had created an opportunity to strengthen existing cooperation while identifying new areas of collaboration, particularly in trade, investment and sustainable resource management.
The Gabonese President also thanked Sierra Leone and other African countries for supporting Gabon’s representation on the African Union Peace and Security Council.
He underscored the need for stronger cooperation to combat illegal fishing, enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and promote the sustainable management of natural resources.
On regional peace and security, President OliguiNguema called for continued dialogue to address challenges involving the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The visit concluded with both Heads of State reaffirming their commitment to transforming the longstanding friendship between Sierra Leone and Gabon into a strategic partnership that promotes economic growth, regional stability and sustainable development for the mutual benefit of both nations.
