London, United Kingdom
2 July 2026
Sierra Leone has reinforced its growing reputation as a reform-oriented and investment-ready economy as the Minister of Finance, Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, led the country’s delegation at the opening of the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) Summit at the Hilton London Metropole this evening.
Held under the theme, “From Vision to Velocity: Driving Africa’s Next Wave of Growth and Leadership,” the summit brought together former Heads of State, finance ministers, development finance institutions, central Bank Governors, business leaders and global investors to explore strategies for accelerating Africa’s economic transformation.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Bangura challenged African leaders to translate vision into action, describing the summit’s theme as “an imperative for Africa to confront the realities of our time with boldness, courage and innovation.”
He observed that shifting global economic dynamics present Africa with a historic opportunity to harness its abundant natural resources, youthful population and expanding markets. “The world needs what Africa has,” he said, arguing that the continent must seize this moment through stronger institutions, deeper regional cooperation and courageous leadership.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s progress, the Minister outlined the Government’s economic strategy under His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, anchored on five strategic priorities: Feed Salone, human capital development, youth employment, infrastructure and technology, and an efficient public service. He noted that Sierra Leone is increasingly being recognised as a destination for investment, trade and innovation rather than aid dependency.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, transparency and domestic revenue mobilisation, pointing to significant improvements in macroeconomic performance, including declining inflation, exchange rate stability, lower interest rates and sustained primary fiscal surpluses. He stressed that “strong fundamentals and avoiding unforced policy errors are the best insurance against system stress.”
Looking beyond Sierra Leone, Minister Bangura called for Africa’s next phase of growth to be driven by value addition to its natural resources, expanded intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and greater investment in young people. He urged African countries to build industries that process their own resources, create jobs and retain greater value within the continent.
Concluding his address, he called for accelerated implementation of Africa’s development agenda, declaring: “Economic leadership for a New Africa is not a future aspiration. It begins today.”
The summit also featured high-level discussions on African banking, finance and economic leadership, with a strong focus on aligning global capital with the continent’s growth priorities through innovative financing solutions and stronger public-private partnerships.
Sierra Leone’s profile was further elevated through a dedicated Sierra Leone Economic and Investment Roundtable on the theme, “*Driving Fiscal Reform and Investment for Sustainable Growth.*” Presentations by the Financial Secretary, Mr. Matthew Dingie, and the Ministry of Finance’s Chief Economist, Mr. Alimamy Bangura, showcased the Government’s ongoing fiscal reform agenda, improving macroeconomic outlook and expanding investment opportunities across key sectors. They highlighted Sierra Leone’s continuing economic progress, underpinned by declining inflation, currency stability, enhanced revenue mobilisation, lower taxes, and a generally attractive environment for private investment.
Far from the depressing narratives of yesteryears, Sierra Leone is increasingly reshaping its own story on the global stage; one defined by resilience, reform and renewed confidence.
That progress is reflected in the country’s remarkable economic turnaround. Despite the severe shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, disciplined fiscal reforms and prudent macroeconomic policy coordination has restored stability to an economy that had been grappling with a widening fiscal deficit and a rapidly depreciating exchange rate. Inflation fell to 4.4% in December 2025, its lowest level in two decades, while borrowing costs declined sharply, reinforcing investor confidence and strengthening the country’s economic fundamentals.
Throughout the African Business Leadership evening, the Sierra Leone delegation engaged with senior government officials, development partners, international investors and private sector leaders to strengthen strategic partnerships, deepen investor confidence and promote the country’s economic transformation agenda.
Sierra Leone’s strong participation underscores the Government’s unwavering commitment to positioning the country as a competitive destination for investment while advancing reforms that foster sustainable growth, economic resilience and long-term prosperity for all Sierra Leoneans.
Abdulai Braima
Information Attaché
SLHC- London