The inaugural ceremony of the 5th Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Freetown, Sierra Leone, was held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown. The event marked a significant milestone in strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Sierra Leone and China, and provided a platform for promoting trade and investment, fostering closer business partnerships, and enhancing cultural and social exchanges between the two countries.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Government of Sierra Leone, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, business associations, and enterprises from all nations. The Chamber brought together 17 strong Chinese companies in Sierra Leone, among other prominent representatives.
In his address, the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone, Du Xinguo, outlined the Chamber’s vision and objectives. He emphasized the need to strengthen members on its platform, help them expand their business, advocate for members to abide by laws, and enhance communication channels with the government and local businesses. He also highlighted the importance of building collective strength, unity, and cooperation to achieve win-win development.
Sierra Leone s Minister of Trade and Industry, Ibrahim Alpha Sesay, noted that the event was about building partnerships that move beyond words to positive outcomes. He emphasized that Sierra Leone is open to doing business and encouraged Chinese companies to focus on areas such as food productivity, power industrial zones, manufacturing of industrial materials, and tourism. He assured that his ministry is ready to facilitate trade and investment for Chinese companies from registration to operations.
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Wang Qing, congratulated the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) for assuming leadership in the Chamber. He noted that Chinese companies’ investments in Sierra Leone have exceeded $2 billion and highlighted the significant improvement in Chinese investment in Sierra Leone since the end of the rebel war. He emphasized that Sierra Leone is a peaceful nation, providing confidence to Chinese companies to investin the country.
Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, said the inauguration marked a revitalized trade development and investment between Sierra Leone and China. He encouraged the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to attract more businesses to Sierra Leone, build networks with local Chambers of commerce, and build capacity and capabilities in local staff for sustainability. He also advised that they should abide by local laws, including the Finance Act, Labour Laws, and Local Content Policy, and implement their corporate social responsibilities.
The inauguration of the 5th Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone is a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The event demonstrates the commitment of both governments to promote trade and investment, and to foster closer business partnerships.
The inauguration of the 5th Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone is a significant development in the economic relations between the two countries. It is expected that the Chamber will play a key role in promoting trade and investment, and fostering closer business partnerships between Sierra Leone and China.
