Ambassador Philip Bob Jusu participated in an EU-Africa Investment roundtable on “The Future of EU-Africa Trade and Investment” co-hosted by IE University and the Brussels Africa Hub.
Speaking alongside Dr Slim Feriani, global investor and Tunisia’s former Minister of Industry, Energy, Mining, Renewable Energy and SMEs, Ambassador Jusu outlined the current state of EU-Sierra Leone relations, identifying specific pathways for growth. He noted that global shifts in supply chains, the energy transition, and digital transformation present new strategic opportunities for Sierra Leone.
Reflecting on the long-term AU-EU partnership, the Ambassador addressed the regional perception of instability, contrasting it with the tangible progress made over the last 20 years. He observed that while market access exists, trade between Sierra Leone and the EU remains concentrated in primary commodities such as minerals and cocoa. To address this, he advocated for increased industrialisation and the diversification of exports. Sierra Leone offers a stable environment for new financial models, such as blended finance and risk-sharing, to enhance the effectiveness of international funding.
The EU Ambassador to the AU, Javier Nino Perez, underlined the partnership’s foundations, noting that recent dialogues underscore a mutual commitment to multilateralism.
The event served as a follow-up to the 7th AU-EU Summit, focusing on the transition from diplomatic commitments to tangible investment projects.
