Sierra Leone and Senegal have taken significant steps to deepen their bilateral partnership, with a focused collaboration in the critical fields of energy and mining. This development follows a high-level two-day engagement in Dakar, led by Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Energy I, Ing. Edmond Nonie, and co-chaired with Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum, Sullay Diop, from November 30 to December 1, 2025. The meetings mark a concrete advancement in the growing relationship between the two West African nations, building upon the foundation laid during recent state visits to Sierra Leone by Senegalese President Bashiru Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Osmane Sonko.
Those earlier visits resulted in the signing of several strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning a broad range of sectors including energy, mining, petroleum and gas, agriculture, trade, fisheries, and infrastructure. The talks in Dakar were strategically focused on translating these preliminary agreements into a actionable and legally sound treaty. Central to the discussions was a detailed review and amendment of proposals to ensure the final cooperation framework fully aligns with the national laws and regulatory requirements of both countries, thereby creating a durable and effective partnership.
On December 2, the Sierra Leonean delegation further solidified the diplomatic progress by paying a courtesy call on Senegal’s Prime Minister to formally present the outcomes of the deliberations. Demonstrating a shared commitment to swift implementation, a joint bilateral committee has been established with the mandate to finalize the treaty text and prepare for an official signing ceremony. This pivotal agreement is slated to be signed jointly by President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and President Bashiru Diomaye Faye of Senegal, an act that will formally cement a partnership poised to accelerate sustainable development.
The strengthened alliance is expected to have a transformative impact, particularly in supporting Sierra Leone’s national development priorities such as the Feed Salone agenda, which seeks to achieve food sovereignty through agricultural modernization. Enhanced cooperation in energy and mining is envisioned to facilitate technology transfer, attract joint investment, and promote best practices in sustainable resource management. Officials from both nations have characterized this deepened collaboration as heralding a new chapter of shared prosperity and regional integration. By pooling expertise and resources, Sierra Leone and Senegal aim to not only bolster their own energy security and mineral sector governance but also to set a precedent for strategic, outcome-oriented cooperation in West Africa, ultimately driving economic growth and stability across the region.