Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Morocco have signed a three-year Cooperation Roadmap covering 2027 to 2029, aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations and expanding economic cooperation in agriculture, mining, fisheries, water management, trade and investment.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rabat, following high-level discussions between Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.
The two ministers signed a Joint Communiqué alongside the Cooperation Roadmap, reaffirming their governments’ commitment to building a stronger partnership that delivers economic and social benefits to citizens of both countries.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Swaray described the agreement as an important step towards deepening relations between Freetown and Rabat.
He said the partnership reflects the shared vision of President Julius Maada Bio and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to promote economic transformation, sustainable development and stronger cooperation among African countries.
According to Swaray, the roadmap will provide a structured framework for implementing joint programmes and strengthening institutional cooperation between the two nations.
A major focus of the discussions was economic development, particularly agriculture, fertilizer production and supply, mining, fisheries, water resource management and the blue economy.
Both governments also explored opportunities to increase private-sector investment, expand trade, strengthen cultural exchanges and promote technical training.
Agricultural cooperation is expected to play a central role in the partnership, with particular attention to improving productivity, supporting food security and introducing modern farming practices.
Cooperation in fisheries and the blue economy could also help Sierra Leone improve the sustainable management of its marine resources, while partnerships in mining and water management could support infrastructure development and responsible resource use.
Beyond economic matters, the two ministers discussed regional security, diplomatic cooperation and developments concerning the disputed Western Sahara territory.
During the meeting, Minister Swaray reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and its proposed autonomy plan for the Sahara region.
He also highlighted the importance of establishing a Sierra Leonean Consulate General in Dakhla to strengthen diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The Foreign Affairs Minister welcomed progress on the regional gas pipeline initiative, describing it as an example of South-South cooperation that could improve energy connectivity and create new economic opportunities across Africa.
He further expressed support for the African Atlantic States Initiative and Morocco’s Royal Initiative aimed at improving Atlantic Ocean access for countries in the Sahel region.
According to Swaray, these initiatives could strengthen regional trade, improve transport networks, attract investment and promote greater economic integration.
For his part, Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita welcomed Sierra Leone’s continued diplomatic engagement and praised the country’s contribution to regional peace, democratic governance and cooperation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Bourita acknowledged Sierra Leone’s role in supporting efforts to restore constitutional governance, strengthen democratic institutions and promote regional security.
He described relations between Morocco and Sierra Leone as longstanding and built on mutual trust, solidarity and shared diplomatic interests.
The Moroccan minister also expressed appreciation for Sierra Leone’s support for Morocco’s position on the Sahara issue.
Both ministers agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation between their institutions and ensure that the commitments outlined in the roadmap produce practical results.
They also emphasized the importance of people-to-people relations through cultural exchanges, professional training and knowledge-sharing programmes.
The 2027–2029 Cooperation Roadmap is expected to guide bilateral activities over the next three years, with both governments working to identify and implement projects in their agreed priority sectors.
The agreement represents another step in efforts by Sierra Leone and Morocco to move beyond traditional diplomatic relations towards a broader economic and development partnership.
As implementation begins in 2027, attention will turn to how the commitments translate into concrete investments, development projects, employment opportunities and other measurable benefits for citizens.
The signing also highlights the growing importance of cooperation between African countries in addressing shared development challenges, strengthening regional integration and promoting sustainable economic growth.
