Davos, Switzerland, January 2026 – On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio deepened high-level diplomatic and economic engagements aimed at strengthening international cooperation, expanding trade, and advancing development partnerships for Sierra Leone.
During the Forum, President Bio held strategic meetings with the Directors-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), underscoring Sierra Leone’s commitment to global health security, migration governance, and innovation-driven development.
The 2026 WEF Annual Meeting attracted more than 70 Heads of State and Government, including leaders from the United States and Europe, alongside chief executives of Fortune 500 companies, senior representatives of the United Nations, and heads of leading international organizations.
President Bio held productive bilateral discussions with Ignazio Cassis, Vice President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs for 2026. The engagement focused on strengthening bilateral relations across key sectors and reinforcing Switzerland’s support for ECOWAS at the regional level.
The President also met with Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Both parties reaffirmed their strong commitment to closer collaboration on trade facilitation, inclusive growth, and enhanced global economic cooperation.
Demonstrating Sierra Leone’s leadership in continental integration, the country co-chaired a high-level breakfast meeting of the Forum Friends of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) alongside the World Economic Forum. Sierra Leone’s distinction as the first African country to complete and gazette its AfCFTA Readiness Assessment and Schedule of Commitments was highlighted as a significant milestone. Addressing private sector stakeholders, the President delivered a clear message: Sierra Leone is open for business, investment opportunities are tangible, and a credible policy and reform roadmap is firmly in place.
Further reinforcing development partnerships, President Bio engaged Abdullah K.H. Almusaibeeh, President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). The President expressed appreciation for BADEA’s sustained support to Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture, and education. Both sides agreed to fast-track ongoing projects and explore new areas of collaboration aligned with national development priorities.
Significantly, President Julius Maada Bio became the first sitting Sierra Leonean Head of State to participate in the World Economic Forum since the country’s independence, marking a historic milestone in Sierra Leone’s global engagement. The WEF remains a premier platform where global leaders shape the international economic and development agenda.
Davos, an alpine town in Switzerland situated approximately 1,560 metres above sea level, is globally renowned as Europe’s highest town and as the long-standing host of the annual World Economic Forum.
Following a successful week of high-level engagements at the centre of global diplomacy and economic dialogue, President Bio concluded his official visit to Switzerland with renewed optimism, having advanced Sierra Leone’s strategic interests on the world stage.
All engagements were facilitated through the coordinated efforts of the Embassy of Sierra Leone, under the leadership of Ambassador Lansana Gberie, in collaboration with the Press Secretary and members of the Presidential delegation.
President Julius Maada Bio and his delegation have since returned safely to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
For further information, please contact:
Mohamed Sheriff
Information Attaché | Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone, Geneva
📞 +41 79 175 66 48
