Chief Minister David Sengeh has held discussions with senior United Kingdom government officials on strengthening trade and investment ties between Sierra Leone and the UK on the opening day of the Financial Times Africa Summit 2026.
In a statement shared following the engagements, Sengeh said he met with Kirsty McNeill MP, the UK Minister for International Development and Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), to discuss the UK’s upcoming G20 Presidency and their shared vision for inclusive reform of global multilateral institutions.
He also expressed appreciation for the UK’s continued support for British investment in Sierra Leone, highlighting the importance of sustained cooperation in promoting economic development.
Sengeh further disclosed that he met with Ben Ainsley, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa, to discuss ways of strengthening partnerships that attract investment and expand trade between the two countries.
According to the Chief Minister, Ainsley is expected to attend the West African Integration and Investment Summit scheduled to take place in Freetown next month, providing another opportunity to advance discussions on regional integration and investment opportunities.
The discussions also focused on reducing trade barriers and easing the cost of doing business, with Sengeh highlighting the UK’s duty-free trade arrangement for developing countries under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which provides 0% tariffs on a wide range of goods from eligible countries.
He described the arrangement as an example of how trade policies can support developing economies, particularly at a time when tariffs are increasingly being used as instruments of economic pressure.
Sengeh said Sierra Leone and the UK intend to strengthen their economic relationship by removing barriers to trade, facilitating business activities and promoting shared economic growth.
The engagements form part of Sierra Leone’s efforts to deepen international partnerships, attract investment and expand trade opportunities as the country seeks to strengthen its position within the regional and global economy.
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