Sierra Leone High Commission to UK

01/11/2026

*SIERRA LEONE HIGH COMMISSION JOINS DIFSL’S 26TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN LONDON*

London, Sunday 1st November 2026

The Sierra Leone High Commission in the United Kingdom last evening joined the *Disabled International Foundation UK–Sierra Leone (DIFSL)* in celebrating its 26th anniversary, commending the organisation for more than two decades of humanitarian service and advocacy for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Representing the High Commission at the anniversary *fundraising dinner and dance* in London, Information Attaché Mr. Abdulai Braima delivered a message on behalf of the Mission, conveying warm greetings from Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, *H.E. Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, and staff* of the High Commission.

The event celebrated 26 years of hope, dignity, empowerment, inclusion and compassion, while rallying support for the organisation’s work in education, clean water, healthcare, food security, and personal and community empowerment.

In its message, the High Commission congratulated *Dr. Imambay Kamara, Founder and President of DIFSL*, as well as the organisation’s members, partners, donors and volunteers, describing 26 years of sustained humanitarian service as “*a significant milestone*.”

The Mission noted that DIFSL’s work complements the development priorities of the Government of *H.E. President Dr. Julius Maada Bio*, particularly in human capital development, social inclusion, education, healthcare and economic empowerment, in line with efforts to expand opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The message stressed that disability inclusion should not simply be regarded as an act of charity, but as a question of rights, dignity and development.

The High Commission also highlighted the important role of the *Sierra Leonean diaspora*, encouraging Sierra Leoneans living abroad to continue transforming lives at home through their knowledge, resources, networks and compassion.

Looking ahead, the Mission called for *collective action* to move from dependency to empowerment and from temporary assistance to sustainable opportunity, particularly through education and skills training, entrepreneurship and employment.

The High Commission encouraged supporters, philanthropists and development partners to continue supporting *DIFSL* and wider efforts to advance disability inclusion, creating opportunities for persons with disabilities not only to receive assistance but also to participate, contribute and lead.

The High Commission’s message concluded by congratulating Dr. Kamara and the *DIFSL* family on their remarkable 26-year journey, expressing hope that the anniversary would open new chapters of service and impact towards a society where “*ability is recognised before disability*.”

Among the other prominent speakers at the celebration was renowned London-based Sierra Leonean film producer, director and actor Amb. *Collins Archie-Pearce*, who reflected on the importance of giving and caring, stressing that genuine giving goes far beyond financial contributions.
Drawing inspiration from the biblical message of *John 3:16*, Mr. Archie-Pearce said the true value of giving lies in the love, sincerity and compassion behind it, encouraging guests to embrace a spirit of service to others.

He also recalled his longstanding association with *DIFSL*, noting that at the organisation’s inaugural event 26 years ago, he served as co-Master of Ceremonies alongside Sierra Leone’s current First Lady, H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio. Mr. Archie-Pearce said he has continued to participate in the organisation’s annual celebrations ever since.

The First Lady, now internationally recognised for her humanitarian advocacy, particularly in championing the rights and welfare of women and children, was also reported to have provided significant support to DIFSL and its humanitarian efforts over the years.

As *DIFSL* enters its 27th year, this year’s anniversary celebration served not only as a reflection on more than *a quarter-century of humanitarian service*, but also as a renewed call for government, the diaspora, civil society, development partners and individuals to work together to turn compassion into opportunity and inclusion into lasting empowerment for persons with disabilities as well as other vulnerable groups.

Abdulai M. Braima
Information Attaché
SLHC- London
https://www.slhc-uk.org/

01/11/2026

31/10/2026

30/10/2026

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30/10/2026

*MINISTER JIWOH ABDULAI DEEPENS SIERRA LEONE–KEW PARTNERSHIP ON FOREST RESTORATION, BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE-SMART COFFEE*

London, Friday 30 October 2026

Sierra Leone’s *Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai*, has called for conservation and forest restoration to be more closely linked to improving community livelihoods, during a scientific engagement at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London today.

Accompanied by Sierra Leone’s *Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mrs. Yvonne King-Odigboh*, Minister Abdulai visited Kew’s world-renowned Herbarium and held discussions with scientists working on plant conservation, forest restoration and climate-resilient agriculture in Sierra Leone.

The visit comes at an important period in international climate diplomacy. Minister Abdulai is on his way to St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), where *climate resilience and sustainable development* are expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

His engagements also come ahead of *COP31*, where Minister Abdulai and UK Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh will serve as a ministerial pair helping to facilitate international consultations on climate adaptation. The two Ministers met in London yesterday to discuss their shared role ahead of the global climate talks.

Minister Abdulai arrived in London from Paris yesterday and immediately commenced scheduled engagements, including meetings with heads of organisations working in Sierra Leone. Among them was Ed Stephenson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of *Rainforest Builder*, which is implementing *Project Buffalo*, initially targeting the restoration of 15,000 hectares of tropical forest in Sierra Leone while supporting rural livelihoods.

Today at Kew, the Minister’s delegation was received by scientists including Paul Kersey, Director of Research; Iain Darbyshire, Senior Research Leader; Charlotte Couch, Research Associate for West Africa; and Aaron Davis, Senior Research Leader for Crops and Climate Change.

Presentations highlighted more than a decade of Kew’s scientific collaboration in Sierra Leone, covering threatened plants and habitats, conservation planning and capacity building.

Researchers have identified and assessed *23 Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs)* across Sierra Leone. Although covering about 13.7 per cent of the country, they encompass nearly 79 per cent of its threatened plant species.

Discussions also covered a recent plant identification course at Njala University, organised in collaboration with Kew and the National Herbarium of Sierra Leone, which attracted more than 200 applicants.

Minister Abdulai welcomed efforts to train the next generation of scientists but stressed that communities must “*own the conversation*” around restoration and see tangible benefits from conservation, including improved livelihoods and economic opportunities linked to forests, valuable tree species and medicinal plants.

Underscoring the need for *greater public awareness*, the Minister said: “*The people must be made to understand that we don’t just want to plant trees for trees’ sake*,” emphasising that restoration should support soil health, climate adaptation, economic opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.

In addition to the many other areas discussed during the meeting, Mrs. King-Odigboh also underlined the importance of passing traditional knowledge of medicinal plants on to younger generations, while exploring their potential to create economic opportunities. Her remarks echoed an earlier point by Minister Abdulai on the need to preserve Sierra Leone’s valuable traditional knowledge and skills, even as climate change increasingly threatens the land and natural resources from which much of that knowledge has evolved.

A major focus of the engagement was *Coffea stenophylla*, the rare indigenous coffee species associated with Sierra Leone and described during the presentation as a scientific “*rule breaker*” due to its high temperature tolerance, and amazing genetic value.

Research shows that *stenophylla* can grow under substantially warmer conditions than Arabica while producing a remarkably similar flavour. The species had not been recorded in the wild in Sierra Leone since 1954 before its rediscovery there in 2018, generating international interest in its potential as climate change increasingly threatens conventional coffee production.

Kew and its partners are working to revitalise *stenophylla* cultivation through research, trial plots and community participation, offering potential opportunities for climate-resilient agriculture, speciality coffee production and increased rural incomes.

The delegation later toured the *Kew Herbarium*, viewing coffee specimens and botanical collections from Sierra Leone, including material preserved for more than a century.

Minister Abdulai said stronger partnerships among Government, universities, researchers, environmental organisations and communities could help protect Sierra Leone’s natural assets while ensuring they contribute to climate resilience, employment and improved livelihoods.

“*Our people will be obliged to adapt, but without adequate support, their adaptation may come at a grave cost to the environment*,” he warned.

Today’s Kew engagement forms part of a wider agenda as Minister Abdulai advances Sierra Leone’s environmental interests through international partnerships and into forthcoming Commonwealth and global climate discussions.

Abdulai Braima
Information Attaché
SLHC- London
https://www.slhc-uk.org/

23/10/2026

*TRADE MINISTER SESAY MAKES STRONG CASE FOR INVESTMENT AND VALUE ADDITION AT GLOBAL COFFEE SUMMIT*

London, Friday 23 October 2026

Sierra Leone’s *Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay*, made a strong case for *greater investment, value addition and fairer global partnerships as the 4th World Coffee Innovation Summit (WCIS26)* concluded in London yesterday.

Speaking on *Day Two* of the Summit at the *Queen Elizabeth II Centre*, Minister Sesay argued that coffee and other *commodity-producing countries must be supported to retain a greater share of the wealth generated from what they produce*, while strengthening climate resilience, research and sustainable production.

The Minister joined *Rachel Kyte, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Climate*, for a high-level fireside discussion titled “*From Climate Ambition to Trade & Investment*,” chaired by *Peter Foster*, World Trade Editor of the Financial Times.

The discussion focused on a critical challenge for developing *producer nations*: how to attract investment, strengthen productivity and ensure that farmers and national economies *capture a greater share of the value generated from their commodities* while confronting growing climate pressures.

Minister Sesay said achieving this would require *stronger partnerships* among governments, the private sector, financial institutions, producer countries and the major markets where commodities are ultimately processed and consumed.

“*The biggest companies are making profits, but most of that profit is at the value-addition stage, not at the production stage*,” he said, stressing that partnerships between producing and manufacturing countries must be *fair, transparent* and work for developing economies.

He said Sierra Leone was deliberately *encouraging domestic processing through concessions and tax incentives*, rather than remaining principally an exporter of raw agricultural commodities.

“*Across all the resources we have, we are promoting beneficiation,*” Minister Sesay explained. “*In the past, we exported 100 per cent of our cocoa and coffee beans. Today, we are beginning to transform some of that production locally, including into cocoa powder, paste and local chocolate.*”

He also highlighted Sierra Leone’s access to wider regional and continental markets through *the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)*, presenting the country as a potential base from which investors could serve *markets beyond its borders*.

The Minister stressed that climate adaptation must go hand in hand with *research, innovation and increased productivity*, warning that failure to act now could prove considerably more costly in the future.

“*In the next 15 to 20 years, if we do not improve our varieties, invest in research and protect the environment, we will be forced to pay many times more and for poorer quality*,” he warned.

*Rachel Kyte* similarly argued that the future of the global coffee industry ultimately depends upon *the survival and prosperity of those at the beginning of its value chain*.

“*The fate of the smallholder in Sierra Leone is the fate of your brand*,” she said, arguing that *sustainability and resilience* should not be treated merely as corporate obligations, but as *fundamental to securing future supply*.

She also highlighted *constraints* imposed on developing countries by the international financial architecture, including *high borrowing costs and debt pressures that limit governments’ ability to invest in agriculture*, climate resilience and economic development.

The discussion was particularly significant against the backdrop of the economics of the global coffee industry. Global coffee production exceeds 11 million tonnes annually, while the wider *industry generates more than US$200 billion in annual revenues*. Africa remains an important producer, yet much of its coffee leaves the continent before the more lucrative stages of processing, roasting, packaging, branding and retail.

For Africa, therefore, the *challenge is not simply to grow more coffee, but to earn more from the coffee it already grows*.

For Sierra Leone, the opportunity carries an additional dimension. The country’s coffee heritage includes *Coffea stenophylla*, the rare species historically associated with Sierra Leone that has attracted international scientific attention for its *desirable flavour characteristics and tolerance of higher temperatures*.

As climate change threatens established coffee-growing regions, such characteristics could potentially position Sierra Leone within the international search for more climate-resilient coffee varieties.

Minister Sesay, however, emphasised that solutions must reflect individual national circumstances.

“*Solutions have to be contextual, conceived and developed collaboratively,*” he said. “*What works for Brazil or China will not necessarily work for Sierra Leone*.”

He linked Sierra Leone’s participation to the Government’s broader national development agenda, including *Feed Salone, economic diversification, increased agricultural production, job creation and environmental protection*.

With *WCIS26* now concluded, Sierra Leone’s message from London was clear: *an origin country should not merely be where the coffee journey begins. It should increasingly be where more value is created, more investment is retained and more of its people benefit from the global industry*.

Abdulai M. Braima
Information Attaché
SLHC – London

23/10/2026

23/10/2026

*CHIEF MINISTER SENGEH ADVANCES SIERRA LEONE’S TRADE, INVESTMENT AND DIGITAL AGENDA IN LONDON*

London, Friday 23 October 2026

Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer, *Dr. David Moinina Sengeh*, has concluded two intensive days of high-level engagements in London, advancing the country’s interests across diplomacy, trade and investment, renewable energy, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

On Wednesday 21 October, Dr. Sengeh met *Kirsty McNeill, UK Minister for International Development and Africa*, at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (*FCDO*), where discussions focused on the UK’s upcoming G20 Presidency, the need for more inclusive global institutions, and continued British support for investment in Sierra Leone.

He also met *Ben Ainsley, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa*, with discussions focusing on expanding bilateral trade and investment. Dr. Sengeh highlighted the UK’s preferential trading arrangements for developing countries, including duty-free access for most goods, as an opportunity for Sierra Leone to expand exports and deepen commercial ties. Mr. Ainsley is expected to participate in next month’s *West African Integration and Investment Summit in Freetown*.

Thursday began at Marlborough House, where the Chief Minister met *Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey*. Discussions covered *CHOGM 2026, investment, climate finance and Commonwealth support for Sierra Leone’s national cohesion and development*.

At *Public Digital*, 262 High Holborn, Dr. Sengeh engaged with senior officials, including founder Andrew Greenway, on *global digital trends and opportunities for collaboration* as Sierra Leone advances its *digital transformation*, resilience and sovereignty.
The London-based consultancy has worked with governments in more than 40 countries, while members of its founding team helped establish the UK’s *Government Digital Service (GDS)*, credited with saving British taxpayers billions of pounds between 2011 and 2015.

Discussions emphasised *building not only technology, but the people, institutions and skills* needed to develop secure public systems at scale. Dr. Sengeh highlighted *cybersecurity, data protection and national control over critical digital infrastructure* as Sierra Leone continues to digitalise public services and payments.

He argued that the emerging *AI revolution* should not recreate *Cold War divisions* in which developing countries are forced to choose between competing global powers. *Africa*, he said, *should have the agency to draw on the best technology, capital and expertise available according to its development priorities*.

Dr. Sengeh subsequently met senior representatives of *Octopus Energy*, Andrew Campbell, Ashleigh Gray and Ella Johnson, to discuss the company’s *renewable-energy engagement* in Sierra Leone, including its *pioneering wind, solar and battery project on Sherbro Island*.

The Chief Minister later carried his digital message to the *13th Financial Times (FT) Africa Summit*, held at The Landmark London Hotel.

The Summit, a major international forum, brought together African leaders, policymakers, investors and business executives to discuss *the continent’s economic and investment future*.

Held under the theme “*Mobilising Growth in a New Global Order,*” this year’s gathering provided an influential platform for Dr. Sengeh to position Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda before global decision-makers and potential investment partners.

Reflecting on his journey from Chief Innovation Officer to Education Minister and now Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Sengeh explained how innovation and digitalisation have remained central to his work. Drawing on that experience, he widened the conversation beyond Sierra Leone, posing a fundamental question: *where does Africa sit in the emerging global AI order*?

Exploring that question further, Dr. Sengeh warned against a handful of powerful countries dominating technologies that will increasingly shape global development.

“*AI is looking like geopolitics on steroids*,” he observed, cautioning that fragmentation could leave smaller countries dependent on vital and increasingly existential technological decisions made elsewhere.

For Dr. Sengeh, *digital sovereignty* does not mean every country must build every technology it uses, but that countries must *retain sufficient control over critical data, infrastructure and technological choices to protect their national interests*.

Africa, he stressed, is “*not coming to the AI table empty-handed*.” Its linguistic diversity, youthful population, data resources and human capacity are valuable assets in developing and evaluating *future AI models*.

“*Development must come with inclusion*,” he underlined. “*Although we cannot all be equal, we can all be included in the opportunities that development creates*,” he emphasised.

As Dr. Sengeh departs London this morning for Freetown, he leaves behind strong *digital markers* from two days of high-level engagement, with the potential to deepen Sierra Leone’s technological and investment connections not only with the United Kingdom, but with the wider world.

Abdulai M. Braima
Information Attaché
SLHC – London
https://www.slhc-uk.org/