In a significant continuation of his diplomatic mission to London, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, engaged in substantive talks with the United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury. The meeting, held at the prestigious UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), followed the Vice President’s high-level discussions earlier in the day with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, underscoring a packed agenda focused on reinforcing Sierra Leone’s international partnerships. Central to the dialogue was a mutual commitment to significantly enhance the enduring and multifaceted strategic ties between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
Lord Collins extended a warm welcome to Vice President Jalloh and his accompanying delegation from the Sierra Leone High Commission in the UK, warmly commending Sierra Leone’s influential regional leadership and its steadfast dedication to upholding democratic principles and governance. “The United Kingdom deeply values Sierra Leone not only as a key partner within West Africa, but also as a vital member of the Commonwealth family,” Lord Collins affirmed during the discussions. He emphasized the timeliness of the engagement, stating, “This moment presents a crucial opportunity for both our nations to ambitiously explore and unlock new, innovative avenues for collaboration that deliver mutual benefits.”
Vice President Jalloh expressed profound appreciation for the UK’s consistent and impactful support over the years, specifically highlighting the instrumental roles played by the FCDO and British International Investment (BII) in Sierra Leone’s developmental trajectory. He provided Lord Collins with a comprehensive update on the significant strides being made under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, particularly through the transformative “Five Game Changers” national development agenda. Dr. Jalloh detailed progress across the five critical pillars: radical investment in human capital development through education and skills, achieving robust food security, generating meaningful employment opportunities for the burgeoning youth population, harnessing technology for innovation and inclusion, and accelerating infrastructure development to drive economic growth.
“The United Kingdom has been an indispensable partner throughout Sierra Leone’s ongoing development journey,” Vice President Jalloh stated. “Building on this strong foundation, we firmly believe the time is ripe to strategically expand and deepen our collaboration. We see immense potential for enhanced partnership, particularly in attracting responsible investment, advancing justice sector reform to strengthen the rule of law, and bolstering critical capacity building initiatives across our public institutions.”
The complex issue of immigration formed a crucial part of the exchange. Vice President Jalloh offered insightful perspectives on the underlying socio-economic factors driving migration patterns from Sierra Leone, advocating for constructive, joint approaches that tackle the root causes rather than merely addressing symptoms. “Our shared challenge requires a partnership focused on sustainable solutions,” he emphasized. “We must work collaboratively to create greater economic opportunities and stability at home, thereby addressing the fundamental drivers of irregular migration for the long term.”
Trade and investment opportunities were prominently featured throughout the constructive dialogue. Vice President Jalloh referenced his recent productive engagement with the CEO of BII, noting the positive momentum in ongoing discussions aimed at significantly expanding UK private sector investment into Sierra Leone’s high-potential sectors. He specifically highlighted energy – including renewable projects critical for national development, transformative infrastructure development, and the dynamic finance sector, as key domains ripe for UK investment. Dr. Jalloh passionately reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s active interest in attracting responsible and high-impact investors from the UK, stating, “Sierra Leone’s emerging markets present enormous potential for forward-thinking UK companies. We particularly welcome partners who share our vision for long-term, sustainable, and inclusive growth that benefits all Sierra Leoneans.”
The Vice President was supported by a distinguished delegation including His Excellency Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the UK; Mrs. Yvonne King Odigboh, Deputy High Commissioner; alongside Second Secretaries; Mr. Mohamed Kapu Lungay and Ms. Mbalia Sankoh, all contributing to the depth of the discussions.
The meeting concluded on a highly positive note, with both sides reaffirming a strong, shared commitment to rapidly deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple priority areas. These include boosting trade and investment links, strengthening governance structures and the justice system, enhancing security collaboration, and expanding partnerships in education and skills development. This commitment powerfully affirms the unique historical bonds and underscores a forward-looking, dynamic partnership firmly focused on building a prosperous and stable future for both Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
Abdulai Braima
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone High Commission – London.