The United Arab Emirates and Sierra Leone signed a major economic partnership on Tuesday aimed at boosting trade, investment, and technological cooperation, officials said, as Gulf states deepen their engagement across Africa.
The comprehensive agreement, formalised in Abu Dhabi during the World Governments Summit, was signed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio. The deal, dubbed the UAE–Sierra Leone Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), is designed to facilitate the flow of capital, goods, and services while fostering collaboration in priority sectors such as artificial intelligence, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.
“This is a pivotal step toward unlocking new economic opportunities,” the leaders said in a joint statement. They framed the deal as a vehicle to support “Africa’s development priorities through innovation and digital transformation,” emphasizing its potential to accelerate inclusive growth across the continent.
Under the pact, the UAE pledged to expand its $1 billion “AI for Development” initiative, targeting digital infrastructure, knowledge transfer, and skills development in Sierra Leone and other African nations. President Bio welcomed the initiative, describing it as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and a means to position Sierra Leone as a regional hub for technology and innovation.
For Abu Dhabi, the agreement represents a continuation of its broader economic diplomacy in Africa, offering Gulf investors access to a mineral-rich country with untapped opportunities. The UAE’s involvement is expected to extend to sectors such as renewable energy, smart agriculture, and logistics, complementing Sierra Leone’s domestic reform agenda and integration within the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS.
More Read
Officials said the CEPA also establishes frameworks for regulatory alignment, market access, and streamlined investment procedures. Trade facilitation measures include reducing barriers for imports and exports, promoting joint ventures, and enhancing bilateral investment protections. Analysts note that these provisions could significantly increase the UAE’s economic footprint in West Africa while providing Sierra Leone with much-needed foreign capital and expertise.
The summit discussions went beyond economic matters. Both leaders addressed regional geopolitical issues, reiterating their commitment to the UN Charter and calling for a “civilian-led government” in Sudan. They condemned atrocities against civilians in conflict zones and urged an immediate ceasefire.
Climate and water security were also highlighted as central themes. Sierra Leone acknowledged the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy and expressed intent to expand its own clean energy initiatives, while Abu Dhabi praised Freetown’s efforts to improve water access and sustainability. The two countries pledged to align their cooperation with the African Union’s 2026 water security agenda, signalling a focus on joint environmental and development objectives.
The agreement is expected to open pathways for UAE private sector investment in Sierra Leone, ranging from mining and agribusiness to technology and infrastructure. It also strengthens Freetown’s position as a regional investment destination and could serve as a template for similar Gulf–Africa partnerships.
“This pact exemplifies how strategic economic diplomacy can deliver tangible benefits for developing countries,” said a senior Sierra Leonean trade official. “It provides capital, technology, and know-how while reinforcing our regional and continental commitments.”
The leaders concluded the summit session with a commitment to “close coordination” on economic, environmental, and security matters, projecting confidence that the partnership would generate jobs, stimulate innovation, and contribute to long-term regional stability.
The UAE–Sierra Leone CEPA marks one of the most significant bilateral agreements for Freetown in recent years, offering a model for how Gulf–Africa partnerships can combine trade, investment, and technological development to support sustainable growth in emerging markets.
