His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed His Excellency President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of the Gabonese Republic to State House, where both leaders held high-level bilateral talks and agreed to deepen cooperation through a structured partnership in natural resources, agriculture, maritime security, trade and democratic governance.
Receiving President Oligui Nguema and his delegation, President Bio described the visit as the beginning of “a more ambitious chapter” in relations between Sierra Leone and Gabon, rooted in a shared history and common aspirations for sustainable development and African prosperity.
He noted that Freetown and Libreville share a unique historical heritage, having both been founded as symbols of freedom and hope, reflecting the common values of liberty, dignity and African resilience.
Congratulating President Oligui Nguema on his election and Gabon’s peaceful return to constitutional governance, President Bio commended his leadership in maintaining national stability and advancing institutional renewal during a critical period of transition.
To strengthen bilateral cooperation, President Bio proposed three immediate priorities: the operationalisation of the Sierra LeoneโGabon Joint Communiquรฉ 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 Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries.
“Our longstanding friendship should now evolve into a structured and results-oriented strategic partnership,” President Bio said, assuring Gabon of Sierra Leone’s readiness to share experiences in democratic governance, decentralisation, anti-corruption, public sector reform and institutional accountability.
The President further highlighted the enormous potential for expanding trade and investment through stronger engagement between investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and the private sector. He welcomed Gabonese investment in agriculture, mining, fisheries, energy, infrastructure, tourism and logistics, while encouraging Sierra Leonean businesses to explore commercial opportunities in Gabon.
He also called for practical measures to improve air connectivity, facilitate travel and remove barriers to trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, stressing that both countries should leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“As resource-rich African nations, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that our natural wealth generates jobs, public revenue, industrial development and improved living standards,” President Bio stated, urging stronger collaboration in mining governance, petroleum regulation, local content, resource transparency and environmental management.
He encouraged ministers and technical officials from both countries to finalise priority agreements, designate focal points and establish clear implementation timelines, emphasizing that the success of the partnership should ultimately be measured by tangible improvements in the lives of the people of Sierra Leone and Gabon.
As a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations, President Bio presented President Oligui Nguema with an artefact on behalf of the Government and People of Sierra Leone.
President Oligui Nguema thanked President Bio for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation and expressed appreciation for Sierra Leone’s support during his inauguration in May 2025.
He said the bilateral discussions had provided an opportunity to review existing cooperation while identifying new areas for collaboration, stressing the need to formalise broader cooperation between the two countries and encourage greater investment by both Sierra Leonean and Gabonese businesses.
The Gabonese leader also expressed gratitude to Sierra Leone and other African countries for supporting Gabon’s representation on the African Union Peace and Security Council. He underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation to combat illegal fishing, promote the sustainable management of natural resources, and advance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
On regional peace and security, President Oligui Nguema called for continued dialogue as the preferred mechanism for resolving the challenges involving the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and reiterated the need for a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The bilateral engagement concluded with both Presidents reaffirming their shared commitment to transforming the longstanding friendship between Sierra Leone and Gabon into a strategic partnership that promotes regional stability, economic growth and sustainable development for the mutual benefit of their peoples
