Freetown, Sierra Leone – 16 February 2026 (ECA) - The Government of Sierra Leone, through its Ministry of Trade and Industry, with technical support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and financial assistance from the Government of Japan, has launched a three-day validation workshop for the Step-by-Step Guide for Trading Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its accompanying Digital Trade Information Portal.
The AfCFTA, the world’s largest free trade area, consolidates more than 50 African countries into a single market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of approximately USD 3 trillion. While it presents a transformative opportunity for inclusive and sustainable growth, many traders, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as women- and youth-led businesses, continue to face barriers due to limited access to clear and consolidated trade information.
To address this challenge, Sierra Leone, which ratified the AfCFTA in 2019, is taking decisive steps to translate continental commitments into practical trading opportunities. With ECA’s technical expertise and Japan’s financial support, the Government is developing user-friendly tools to demystify trading processes, clarify regulatory and documentary requirements, and enhance transparency and efficiency in cross-border trade.
The validation workshop brought together 60 participants from government ministries and agencies, regulatory authorities, private sector organizations, and development partners. It aims to review and validate the draft Guide and Trade Information Portal, assess their accessibility and usefulness for MSMEs and vulnerable groups, and train stakeholders in effectively using the digital platform. The workshop will also foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure strong national ownership and broad dissemination.
Mr Emmanuel Konjoh, Chief Director in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, speaking on behalf of the Minister, the Honorable Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, underscored Sierra Leone’s ambition: “We aspire to position Sierra Leone as a competitive and reliable exporting nation, with diversified and value-added products accessing African markets. We seek an inclusive trading system where MSMEs, women, and youth are active beneficiaries; a trade-facilitative environment defined by efficiency and transparency; and full compliance with continental rules and standards.”
Ms. Seraphine Wakana, UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, highlighted the country’s broader reform agenda: “The completion and gazetting of Sierra Leone’s AfCFTA Readiness Assessment Report and the national schedule of commitments on trade in goods, together with the launch of the updated National Trade Strategy (2024–2030), stand as clear evidence of the country’s commitment to establishing itself as a proactive and capable participant in intra-African trade.”
Expected outcomes of the workshop include a validated and enriched Step-by-Step Guide, a clear roadmap for finalization and dissemination, enhanced stakeholder knowledge on using the Digital Trade Information Portal and strengthened collaboration between government and the private sector.
Through this strategic partnership, ECA reaffirms its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in translating AfCFTA provisions into concrete economic opportunities, ensuring that no trader is left behind in Africa’s single market.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org