The maiden edition of the Nigeria–Sierra Leone Trade Fair 2026 officially commenced in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during the weekend, and will run until August 9, bringing together business leaders, government officials, manufacturers and investors from across West Africa.

The inaugural annual trade fair, taking place at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, is designed to showcase Africa’s growing manufacturing capacity while strengthening economic and commercial ties between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Addressing stakeholders and participants at the opening ceremony, a member of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Sierra Leone, and Chief Executive Officer of Yennco World Trade-fair Limited, Dr. Onyeka Nwafor, described the event as a platform for promoting made-in-Nigeria products and expanding opportunities for trade and investment across the continent.

According to him, the initiative is expected to boost bilateral trade relations, deepen economic cooperation, and promote peace, unity and regional integration among member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The event attracted captains of industry, policymakers, entrepreneurs, exhibitors and senior government officials from both Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

He noted that the exhibition would enhance regional trade by improving the movement of goods and services while creating new opportunities for businesses within the ECOWAS sub-region.

Representing the Government of Sierra Leone, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, urged the Nigerian-Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce to uphold high standards and ensure that quality products are made available to consumers.

He reaffirmed the Sierra Leonean government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen regional trade, industrialisation and investment.

Also addressing participants, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Amb. Ayo Lurther Ogbomude, who represented the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, commended the organisers for staging what she described as a robust exhibition that reflects the growing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Sierra Leone in trade, commerce and economic development.

Among the dignitaries present at the opening ceremony was the Chairman of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Arch. Abel, alongside other business leaders, government officials and representatives of the organised private sector.

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