Minister Sesay Commends Success Of AfCFTA Conference

By Abdul Rahman Bah

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, has commended the success of the four-day Regional African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Conference, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Academy, Tower Hill, Freetown, on Friday, 17th October 2025. The conference, themed “Creating One Africa: From Policy to Practice Accelerating Sierra Leone’s AfCFTA Implementation for Sustainable Economic Transformation,” brought together policymakers, experts, and development partners to assess Sierra Leone’s readiness and strategic approach to regional trade integration.

In his closing remarks, Minister Sesay described the conference as “very informative and educative,” expressing admiration for the depth of knowledge shared. He lamented that some participants who were present, but did not engage fully, had missed out on valuable insights. “It’s shocking how much information has been disseminated in the last four days,” he said, noting that the lessons went beyond ordinary reports and reflected practical solutions to Sierra Leone’s trade challenges.

The Minister highlighted two major areas of action following the conference. First, he called for a strong national awareness campaign to raise public understanding of the AfCFTA and its potential benefits. “We need to really raise awareness on AfCFTA. Listening to the presentations on digital trade, women and youths in trade, and trade in services, it’s clear how much potential we have,” he said.

Second, he emphasised the need for technical capacity building for ministers, senior government officials, and policymakers to ensure effective policy coordination. “Trade is a cross-cutting sector, it connects with mining, agriculture, tourism, and services. We must work as a team to maximise these linkages,” he stressed. He proposed an inter-ministerial technical session early next year to strengthen coordination and enhance understanding of trade dynamics across sectors.

Minister Sesay likened the AfCFTA Readiness Assessment Report to a medical diagnosis, saying it helps identify Sierra Leone’s economic strengths and weaknesses. “If you are sick, you only get the right medication after a proper diagnosis. This report is our economic diagnosis; it tells us where we are doing well and where the challenges lie,” he explained. He commended the assessment team led by the Professor, and thanked the AfCFTA Secretariat for their technical guidance.

He further noted that the report’s findings will serve as a foundation for strategic actions to position Sierra Leone as a key player in continental trade. He revealed that the government would consider hosting a roundtable discussion to review recommendations and mobilise partnerships for implementation.

During the event, Sierra Leone also launched its National Trade Strategy, a landmark policy framework that outlines how the country plans to advance trade both within Africa and globally. The strategy aligns with AfCFTA principles, World Trade Organisation (WTO) standards, the Medium-Term National Development Plan, and President Julius Maada Bio’s “Big Five Game Changers.”

Minister Sesay reaffirmed that the strategy places small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the centrer of trade growth. “SMEs are the engines of our economy. If we can’t support them to participate effectively, it becomes difficult to create wealth,” he said. He praised the growing entrepreneurial landscape in Sierra Leone, noting that “a decade or two ago, we had mostly sole traders, but now we have educated and innovative entrepreneurs makinga real impact.”

He emphasisedd that President Bio’s commitment to diversifying the economy is reflected in the trade initiatives launched under the AfCFTA framework. “To diversify, you must have the right policies and laws aligned with international protocols. Today, we are proud that Sierra Leone is on that path,” he remarked.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to leveraging the AfCFTA as a vehicle for attracting investments, driving industrialisation, and empowering women and youths through cross-border trade opportunities. He also acknowledged the role of development partners, including the UNDP, WTO, and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), for their continued technical and financial assistance.

“We are deeply grateful to the AfCFTA Secretariat for their commitment and presence here. It’s not just about the funding, but the partnership and shared vision for Africa’s prosperity,” he concluded, pledging continued collaboration to ensure Sierra Leone’s active participation in continental trade integration and sustainable economic transformation.