Sierra Leone, Russia Sign Historic Transport Cooperation MoU at Russia-Africa Summit

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Korovy Val, Russia, October 31, 2026 – Sierra Leone and the Russian Federation have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on transport cooperation, the first formal agreement of its kind between the two countries, opening new opportunities for collaboration in transportation, logistics, aviation, and infrastructure development.

The agreement was signed during the Third Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow, following a high-level meeting between Sierra Leone's Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Col. (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay, and Russian Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Dmitry Zevrev.

Conveying greetings from President Julius Maada Bio, Minister Turay introduced the Sierra Leonean delegation, which included Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources Julius Daniel Mattai, Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, Deputy Minister of Finance II Isata Marah and National Minerals Agency Chairman Ing. Hadji Dabo. He said the delegation's composition demonstrated Sierra Leone's commitment to strengthening longstanding diplomatic relations with Russia, founded on mutual trust, friendship and shared interests.

Thanking the Russian Government for its invitation and hospitality, the Minister described the visit as productive, noting he had visited a Russian logistics depot earlier in the day where discussions identified several opportunities for cooperation, and that contacts, including those of a Russian bus company, had been exchanged for further engagement. He described the MoU as a historic milestone with the potential to facilitate movement between the two countries and strengthen bilateral connectivity. He proposed immediately establishing a joint technical team to advance implementation and develop a roadmap. He invited Deputy Minister Zevrev to visit Sierra Leone to explore its natural harbor, transportation systems, and broader infrastructure potential. He said the roadmap could be completed within six months, to advance the necessary agreements by April 2027.

In his response, Deputy Minister Zevrev welcomed the signing of the MoU and outlined next steps toward its implementation, confirming that a joint working group comprising specialists from both countries would be established without delay to examine priority areas, develop a practical roadmap and identify the necessary arrangements for possible intergovernmental agreements. He noted that Russian grain cargoes were already being transported to Sierra Leone, providing a foundation for expanded logistics cooperation. He suggested the two countries could work to simplify transport procedures, establish direct routes, agree on logistical terms and cargo pricing, and explore direct flights and other transportation options.

Minister Turay and Russian Transport Minister Dmitry Yadrov signed the agreement. The signing marks a significant step in Sierra Leone-Russia relations, establishing a framework for practical cooperation in transportation, logistics, aviation, and infrastructure development while supporting Sierra Leone's broader ambitions for economic growth, investment, and regional connectivity.