UAE, Sierra Leone Presidents discuss bilateral cooperation and witness signing of CEPA between two nations
- Last updated: February 2, 2026 | 19:01 ..
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan met on Monday with Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, for discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in support of both countries’ development ambitions.
During the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi during Maada Bio’s working visit to the UAE, the two leaders explored opportunities to expand collaboration in priority sectors including the economy, trade, investment, renewable energy, and sustainability.
The UAE and Sierra Leonean Presidents affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties to advance the progress and prosperity of both nations and their peoples.
They also reviewed several regional and international issues of mutual interest, underscoring the importance of promoting peace and stability, both regionally and globally, for the benefit of all.
Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to deepening its ties with African nations in pursuit of shared development, in line with the country’s approach to building inclusive partnerships that promote mutual benefit and prosperity for all.
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, several Sheikhs; ministers and top officials.
The two leaders also witnessed on Monday the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations.
The agreement is expected to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties.
Sheikh Mohamed said the agreement represents a significant step forward in deepening economic ties with Sierra Leone across a broad range of priority sectors.
He noted that it reflects the UAE’s longstanding commitment to building partnerships with countries around the world, aimed at driving sustainable development, fostering shared prosperity, and creating new opportunities for future generations.
The CEPA was signed during a ceremony at Qasr Al Shati by Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, Minister of Trade and Industry of Sierra Leone.
The agreement will reduce trade barriers, enhance investment flows, and promote private sector collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure development.
In recent years, the trade relationship between the UAE and Sierra Leone has shown promising growth, with bilateral non-oil foreign trade reaching $153 million in 2025.
The UAE-Sierra Leone CEPA aligns with the UAE’s long-term objective of strengthening economic ties with African nations, reflecting its commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and diversification across the continent.
The UAE is the continent’s largest source of new FDI, with over $110 billion invested across the continent since 2019.
As the UAE continues to enhance its trade and investment relationship with Africa, it aims to unlock new opportunities for businesses and create lasting partnerships that will accelerate mutually beneficial economic growth.
WAM