Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Sierra Leone and Cyprus have strengthened their diplomatic and development partnership with the signing of three new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), as President Julius Maada Bio made a historic first official visit to the Republic of Cyprus on Thursday, 13 November 2025.
The visit marks the first time a sitting Sierra Leonean Head of State has travelled to Cyprus, signalling a significant step in expanding bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
During official talks in Nicosia, President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus commended President Bio for his leadership on the global stage, particularly at the United Nations Security Council and as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority. He described the visit as a historic milestone rooted in the shared colonial history of both nations and a platform for strengthening strategic relations.
President Christodoulides emphasized that while cooperation between the two countries has been solid over the years, the engagement opens new avenues for collaboration across key sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, maritime affairs, education, cybersecurity, and private sector investment.
He also briefed President Bio on Cyprus’ forthcoming six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, set to begin on 1 January 2026. The Cypriot leader pledged to leverage this position to enhance relations between the EU and Sierra Leone, as well as deepen engagement with ECOWAS on regional stability and development.
President Bio expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation, describing the visit as both strategic and symbolic. He thanked the Government of Cyprus for the scholarships offered to Sierra Leonean students in 2022 and expressed interest in expanding educational opportunities. He also highlighted his administration’s national development blueprint, the “Big Five Game Changers,” as a framework for targeted cooperation.
The three MOUs were signed by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, and Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou.
The agreements are expected to enhance collaboration in priority areas aligned with both countries’ development goals.
Following the signing ceremony, President Bio visited the Municipality of Nicosia, where he was received by Mayor Charalambos Prountzos.
He also toured the Cypriot House of Representatives and held discussions with Annita Demetriou, President of the House.
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