By: Musa Paul Feika
The official inauguration of the European Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone (EuroCham) which took place on 9th June, 2026 at Country Lodge Hotel in Freetown, marks a significant milestone in the country’s economic diplomacy and efforts to attract sustainable foreign investment.
The event, which also coincided with the third Public Private Dialogue between the Government of Sierra Leone and European businesses, showcased a renewed commitment by both sides to deepen trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Addressing government officials, diplomats, investors, and business leaders, the European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone Jacek Jankowski described the launch as a pivotal moment in strengthening the partnership between Sierra Leone and the European Union. He noted that the establishment of EuroCham sends a strong signal to European investors that Sierra Leone is open for business and prepared to create an enabling environment for quality investments.
The Ambassador Jacek Jankowski explained that the initiative emerged from the first EU-Sierra Leone Political Dialogue held in December 2024, under the chairmanship of President Julius Maada Bio. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the decision to establish structured engagement between national authorities and European businesses to address concerns relating to trade facilitation, taxation, regulatory compliance, and broader business reforms.
According to Ambassador Jacek, EuroCham will provide a unified platform for European businesses operating in Sierra Leone, enabling them to engage more effectively with government institutions while contributing expertise on legislation, taxation, budgeting, and private sector development policies.
Perhaps most importantly, the Ambassador Jacek revealed that after years of declining European investment trends, the situation has dramatically improved. He disclosed that more than €3.2 billion has been invested in projects across Sierra Leone within the last six months alone. These investments include a state-of-the-art data centre, a modern flour mill, major port modernization projects, and the country’s first large-scale solar power initiatives.
He emphasized that European companies bring more than financial resources. They also contribute technical expertise, technology transfer, skills development, and employment opportunities that directly benefit Sierra Leoneans.
Representing President Bio at the event, the country’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening ties with the European Union and supporting private sector-led growth.
Dr. Sengeh highlighted several examples of successful European investments in Sierra Leone, including the expansion of African Global Logistics (AGL), the continued operations of Brussels Airlines, and the skills development partnership between CFAO and technical institutions in the country. He also cited growing cooperation in agriculture, mining, energy, and manufacturing as evidence that the relationship between Sierra Leone and Europe is producing tangible results.
The Chief Minister pointed to the establishment of a modern flour mill by Sonoco, revealing that discussions are already underway to explore local wheat production, reducing dependence on imported wheat from countries such as Argentina and Turkey.
He argued that Sierra Leone possesses the potential to develop a viable agricultural value chain capable of supporting industrial growth.
In the mining sector, Dr. Sengeh noted that more than US$500 million has been invested over the last eighteen months, with commercial gold production expected to commence soon and expansion continuing in lithium and iron ore projects. He stressed that the Government’s objective is to promote value addition within Sierra Leone rather than exporting raw materials without processing.
The Chief Minister also defended the Government’s record on energy access, arguing that significant progress has been achieved despite ongoing challenges. He maintained that national electricity access has more than doubled since 2018 and highlighted investments in solar energy, mini-grids, and power generation infrastructure designed to support both households and businesses.
Responding to recent reports circulating internationally regarding Sierra Leone’s reputation and governance concerns, Dr. Sengeh urged investors and development partners not to allow misinformation and unverified allegations to define perceptions of the country. He insisted that Sierra Leone remains safe, stable, and welcoming to investors.
“The relationship between the European Union and Sierra Leone is built on mutual respect, cooperation and shared development goals, not rumours and fear-mongering,” he declared.
For his part, Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay described the launch of EuroCham and the Public Private Dialogue as critical developments in Sierra Leone’s economic transformation agenda. He emphasized that the strong turnout of investors and business leaders reflected growing confidence in the country’s investment climate.
The establishment of EuroCham comes at a time when Sierra Leone is actively seeking to diversify its economy, attract foreign direct investment, create jobs, and expand opportunities for local businesses.
Through stronger engagement between government and investors, the Chamber is expected to serve as a bridge for policy dialogue, investment promotion, and business advocacy.
As Sierra Leone continues to pursue its Medium-Term National Development Plan and align with the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy, the launch of EuroCham represents more than the creation of a business association. It symbolizes a growing partnership that both government and investors hope will drive economic growth, industrial development, and long-term prosperity for the people of Sierra Leone.