Sierra Leone is home to the colorful white-necked rockfowl, a rare bird found only in parts of West Africa.
The Republic of Sierra Leone
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa-4:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)English
National CurrencyLeone (SLE)
National Day(s)27 April (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalFreetown
Economic CapitalFreetown
Cultural CapitalFreetown
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 10 – 14 h
Connecting flights
Primary AirportFreetown International Airport (FNA)
Primary PortPort of Freetown (Queen Elizabeth II Quay)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline402 km
Highest PointMount Bintumani (1,948 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverRokel River (the longest river, forming the Sierra Leone River Estuary; a major source of water and hydropower)
ClimateTropical climate
Border Countries
GuineaLiberia
2Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Sierra Leone is home to the Gola Rainforest, an important habitat for rare birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Krio is widely spoken across Sierra Leone and helps people from different ethnic and linguistic groups communicate.
Sierra Leone has beautiful Atlantic beaches, including those along the Freetown Peninsula.
In 2025, Tiwai Island and the Gola Rainforest became Sierra Leone’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The country is home to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which protects and rehabilitates endangered western chimpanzees.
Sierra Leone is rich in diamonds, and diamond mining has played an important role in the country’s history and economy.
The Cotton Tree was a famous historic symbol of Freetown for centuries before it fell during a storm in 2023.
Bunce Island contains the ruins of a British slave-trading fort and is an important historical site.
Sierra Leone has four main physical regions: coastal plains, interior plains, interior plateau, and mountains.
Mount Bintumani is the highest mountain in Sierra Leone, rising to about 1,948 meters.
Groundnut stew is a popular dish made with peanuts and is often served with rice.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | Sierra LeoneUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Brig. Julius Maada Bio
Since April 2018
H.E. Mohamed Rahman Swarray
Since August 2026
H.E. Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo
Since August 2026
H.E. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay
Since July 2023
H.E. Kenyeh Barlay
Since July 2023
H.E. Brig. Julius Maada Bio
Since July 2023
Political Summary
Political System
Presidential Republic
A presidential republic system, where the President serves as both Head of State and Head of Government, holding executive authority alongside a multi-party Parliament.
Ruling Party
Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP): Centre to centre-left
Main Opposition Force(s)
All People’s Congress (APC): Centre-left to left-wing
Next Presidential Election
Expected in October 2028
Next Legislative Election
October 2028
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
44Organizations
26Member
4Founding Member
2Partner, Observer or Participant
12Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Sierra Leone | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations5 Oct 198244 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
No Accredited AmbassadorForeign Ambassador
H.E. Rashid SesayAmbassador of Sierra Leone to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sierra Leone Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Sierra Leone | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Signed | Signed on 2 Feb 2026. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | - | - |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Signed | Signed on 22 Dec 2019. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Sierra Leone | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateApr2024
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Julius Maada BioPresident of Sierra LeoneApr2026
- H.E. Julius Maada BioPresident of Sierra LeoneFeb2026
- H.E. Dr. David Moinina SengehChief Minister of Sierra LeoneFeb2025
- H.E. Julius Maada BioPresident of Sierra LeoneMar2024
- H.E. Dr. David Moinina SengehChief Minister of Sierra LeoneFeb2024
- H.E. Jiwoh Emmanuel AbdulaiMinister of Environment and Climate Change of Sierra LeoneDec2023
- H.E. Dr. David Moinina SengehMinister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and Chief Innovation Officer of Sierra LeoneFeb2023
- H.E. Julius Maada BioPresident of Sierra LeoneMay2022
- H.E. Dr. Austin DembyMinister of Health and Sanitation of Sierra LeoneFeb2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)5.1USD Millions
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)-
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Sierra Leonean Companies in the UAE
- -
Major UAE Companies in Sierra Leone
DP World-
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research