By Kadijatu Bangura | D.S. Reporter
Freetown, Tuesday September 8, 2026, Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray has told Sierra Leone’s ambassadors and heads of mission to shift focus from protocol to performance, with investment, trade and national development now the core of their work.
Speaking during his first virtual global meeting with all heads of mission since taking office, Swaray laid out a bold new mandate for the Foreign Service.
“Move beyond traditional diplomacy,” the Minister charged. “Your job is to attract investment, expand trade, protect our citizens abroad, and deliver measurable results for Sierra Leone.”
He outlined four immediate priorities: improving consular services for Sierra Leoneans overseas, strengthening crisis response and protection, advancing economic diplomacy, and driving efficiency through digitization and performance-based targets.
Swaray said embassies must become hubs for business and diaspora engagement, not just ceremonial posts. He urged envoys to actively court investors, promote Sierra Leonean products, and mobilize development financing.
The directive aligns with a growing trend across Africa to reposition diplomatic missions as engines for economic growth.
The Minister’s new push comes less than a month after President Julius Maada Bio appointed him Foreign Affairs Minister in the August 12, 2026 cabinet reshuffle. Swaray previously served as Minister of Information and Civic Education and Minister of Labour and Social Security.
As part of the reforms, Swaray announced an in-person assessment of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Monrovia, including inspection of ongoing rehabilitation works at the chancery.
He also disclosed that the Ministry is finalizing a Foreign Service Bill for Parliament. The bill seeks to strengthen accountability at overseas missions and align their financial management with national public finance laws.
“Together, we will build a Foreign Service that delivers results, protects our people, and advances Sierra Leone’s interests,” Swaray told the envoys.
The initiative signals a clear shift toward a more efficient, accountable, and commercially driven diplomatic service.
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