SL Participates in Historic Global SME Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg
The Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Sierra Leone, under the leadership of Honourable Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, has proudly represented the nation at the first-ever Global SME Ministerial Meeting, a landmark international gathering convened by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) of the Republic of South Africa.
Held from July 22 to 24, 2025, at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg, the high-level meeting brought together government ministers, senior policymakers, international organizations, private sector leaders, and development partners from across the globe. The event’s central mission was to galvanize political will and concrete action to scale up global cooperation in empowering Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)—recognized as critical drivers of inclusive economic growth, innovation, job creation, and sustainable development.
Representing Sierra Leone, Minister Alpha Ibrahim Sesay played an active role in both public forums and closed-door sessions focused on strengthening SME ecosystems in developing economies. His participation reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to advancing policies that position SMEs as a central pillar of Sierra Leone’s economic transformation.
Strategic Themes and Sierra Leone’s Priorities
Throughout the three-day summit, several strategic themes were addressed by global leaders, including:
- Accelerating Digital Transformation to enhance SME competitiveness and resilience in global markets
- Unlocking Access to Finance and Capital for SME expansion and sustainability
- Promoting Green, Circular, and Inclusive Business Models, particularly in response to climate risks and market disruptions
- Fostering Global Trade Linkages that connect SMEs to new value chains and export opportunities
- Championing Women- and Youth-Led Enterprises, with a special focus on gender equity and entrepreneurship
During his interventions, Minister Sesay shared Sierra Leone’s experiences, challenges, and reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business for SMEs, expanding access to finance through microcredit and development finance initiatives, and digitizing trade processes to support small exporters and local producers.
“SMEs are the heartbeat of Sierra Leone’s economy,” Minister Sesay noted. “This global gathering is not just about dialogue—it’s about delivering real, scalable solutions that can help small businesses grow, compete, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.”
He emphasized the government’s efforts to formalize the informal sector, promote access to digital tools and platforms, and build partnerships that connect Sierra Leonean SMEs to regional and international trade opportunities.
A Global Platform for Policy Innovation and Partnerships
The inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting also served as a launchpad for new policy frameworks and multilateral partnerships, including the development of an SME Action Agenda to guide country-level reforms, facilitate peer learning, and mobilize resources for SME growth across the Global South.
Other major highlights included:
- Roundtable discussions on SME financing models and inclusive banking
- Presentations from SME champions and entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America
- A dedicated session on integrating climate-smart solutions into SME operations and supply chains
- Bilateral meetings between countries and development partners to foster technical cooperation
Sierra Leone’s Commitment to SME-Led Development
Sierra Leone’s active participation in the Ministerial Meeting reflects a broader national vision—to build a resilient and inclusive economy where entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable enterprise play a central role. The Ministry of Trade and Industry continues to champion reforms that:
- Simplify registration and licensing processes for small businesses
- Support capacity-building and training programs
- Improve access to credit and investment
- Expand regional trade integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
- Promote public-private partnerships for SME development
“The future of African trade and development lies in the strength of our SMEs,” Minister Sesay concluded. “We return from Johannesburg more energized, connected, and committed to creating an enabling environment where Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs can thrive.”
The Ministry extends its gratitude to the ITC, the DSBD, and all partners involved in making the conference a success and looks forward to implementing the outcomes in collaboration with national and international stakeholders.
