Gabon President begins three-day state visit to Sierra Leone

Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema arrived in Sierra Leone on August 2, 2026, commencing a three-day official State Visit aimed at bolstering bilateral partnerships in trade, investment, tourism, and agriculture.

Landing at Freetown International Airport in Lungi alongside the First Lady and a high-level government delegation, the Gabonese Head of State was formally received on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. The ceremonial reception featured full state honors, including a Military Guard of Honour reflecting the diplomatic ties between the two West and Central African nations.

Following airport ceremonies, the delegation traveled via ferry service across to Freetown, arriving at the Aberdeen terminal before establishing residency at the Bintumani Hotel alongside senior government officials. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba highlighted the diplomatic visit as a milestone for economic collaboration, noting that the agenda focuses on mutual interests in agriculture, commercial trade, regional stability, and Pan-African solidarity. The state visit builds on existing executive relations, following President Bio’s attendance at President Oligui Nguema’s presidential inauguration in Libreville in May 2025.

Throughout the three-day itinerary, President Oligui Nguema will engage in bilateral summit talks with President Bio, meet with private sector stakeholders, and tour key cultural and tourist sites. Government representatives, regional leadership, and members of the diplomatic corps noted that the official talks aim to establish structured economic frameworks that support sustainable development and trade integration between Gabon and Sierra Leone.

ABJ/APA