Dr. Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to Türkiye, together with staff members, has led a week-long working visit to Istanbul, the country’s commercial hub, engaging high-level Turkish private-sector investors as part of an intensified economic diplomacy drive.
During a series of strategic meetings, Ambassador Anderson emphasized that modern diplomacy has evolved beyond traditional political engagement. She noted that ambassadors today also serve as economic envoys, tasked with translating diplomatic relations into tangible development outcomes. In this regard, she outlined her mission in Türkiye as promoting trade and investment opportunities in Sierra Leone, showcasing priority sectors aligned with national development goals, encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI), facilitating business-to-business (B2B) partnerships, and strengthening overall Sierra Leone–Türkiye economic cooperation. These efforts, she stressed, are aimed at shifting diplomatic engagement from aid dependency to mutually beneficial partnerships.
The engagements in Istanbul build on momentum generated within the second quarter last year. On 30 May 2025, the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Türkiye successfully hosted its first Trade and Investment Seminar in Istanbul, which brought together government officials, private-sector leaders, investors, and business associations from both countries. The seminar formed part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral trade relations and position Sierra Leone as an attractive destination for Turkish and international investors.
Following the week-long visit, the Embassy has identified key stakeholders within Türkiye’s business community to participate in a forthcoming Trade and Investment Mission to Sierra Leone, where they will engage relevant authorities and local business leaders to explore concrete investment opportunities.
Key sectors discussed with prospective investors during the Istanbul engagements included renewable energy (particularly solar power), infrastructure and construction, manufacturing and light industry, tourism and hospitality, fisheries and the blue economy, agriculture and agro-processing, and the education sector. These areas align closely with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities and its drive toward sustainable, private-sector-led growth.
Ambassador Anderson, PhD, described the visit as a significant step in consolidating Sierra Leone’s economic diplomacy agenda and strengthening long-term, results-oriented partnerships with Türkiye’s dynamic private sector.
© Sierra Leone Embassy Ankara, Türkiye
