Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio (L) in talks with Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (R) at the ADF
Photo credit: State House, Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio’s recent diplomatic mission to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Türkiye, where he engaged in high-stakes discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a major step in deepening bilateral relations and advancing sectorial cooperation. The forum, themed “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World,” gathered global leaders to tackle pressing challenges in multilateral diplomacy.
The ADF, launched in 2021 by Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry, has evolved into a important arena for international dialogue, uniting policymakers, academics, and business leaders. The 2025 edition prioritised five interconnected objectives. First, it sought to bridge divides by fostering idea exchange among diverse stakeholders, addressing issues from geopolitical strife to climate collapse. Secondly, the forum championed multilateralism, urging collective action in an era of global fragmentation.
A third objective of the gathering was to cement Türkiye’s role as a diplomatic mediator, leveraging its strategic position between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its fourth objective is remodeling diplomacy to confront 21st-century challenges, including AI governance and resource scarcity. Finally, the event facilitated cross-sector networking among its 3,000 attendees, transforming dialogue into actionable partnerships.
For President Bio, the forum offered a strategic stage to draw global attention to Sierra Leone’s priorities while aligning with Türkiye’s expanding African outreach. The ADF’s agenda resonated deeply with Sierra Leone, a nation grappling with economic challenges, climate vulnerability, and muted global influence.
Bio’s bilateral talks with Erdoğan emphasised trade expansion and defence collaboration, a nod to Türkiye’s growing footprint in African security. Analysts believe that these negotiations could unlock critical investments for Sierra Leone’s underfunded sectors. On the global front, Bio used the forum as a platform to spotlight climate justice and economic inequity, vital issues for a country where extreme poverty still hovers between 12.9 and 25%, according to 2024 statistics.
Regionally, discussions on African security frameworks provided avenues to strengthen partnerships. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of diplomacy in preventing violence and resolving conflicts, drawing from Sierra Leone’s experience with its civil war between 1991 and 2002, which was resolved through dialogue. He stated, “Peace is possible. Diplomacy works. I believe it is the answer to any situation that threatens to escalate into violence.”
Economically, the ADF provided a platform for engagements with business leaders on potential mining and agriculture investments. There are no reports that Bio held specific talks with business leaders focused on mining and agricultural investments. However, the context of the ADF suggests opportunities for such discussions, including economic cooperation.
With his push for investments, Bio clearly hopes to sustain the gains recorded under his watch. While Sierra Leone’s economy still faces challenges, inflation is reported to have dropped from 52.2% to 13.8% in 2024, but reserves cover only two months of imports. However, mining, agriculture, and diversification efforts, in tourism and fisheries, for example, suggest gradual poverty reduction.
Additionally, Bio’s recent launching of the African Diamond Producers Association Mining Week and overseeing a $230M mining processing plant in Sierra Leone, indicate a strong focus on mining investments. Also, his advocacy for energy access and economic development further suggests that mining and agricultural investments could have been topics of interest during informal or sideline discussions with business leaders at the ADF.
While no formal agreements emerged from Bio’s participation at the forum, his public statements underscored a shared intent with Türkiye to deepen ties. His focus on defense and trade also signals an alignment with Türkiye’s strategic interests in West Africa. Observers note that future collaborations potentially involving infrastructure or security aid could materialize in bilateral talks later in the year.
Bio’s ADF attendance reflects a calculated gamble that positions Sierra Leone as an active player in global diplomacy while courting Türkiye’s economic and strategic patronage. However, some pundits have criticised the absence of concrete agreements, saying it highlights the forum’s limitations as a talk shop rather than a deal-making hub.
While Türkiye’s African ambitions could benefit Sierra Leone, particularly in defence and infrastructure, the government must demonstrate that diplomatic overtures translate into improvements for the masses. For a nation ranked 181st in GDP per capita, the stakes are existential. Bio’s legacy rests on bridging the gap between global promises and local realities.
President Bio’s engagement at the 2025 Antalya Diplomacy Forum may not have resulted in any immediate major economic or diplomatic breakthroughs for Sierra Leone. However, economically, discussions with Erdoğan on trade and defence collaboration were productive even if they lacked specific deals or investments, falling short of transformative outcomes.
Diplomatically, Bio’s advocacy for UNSC reform gained rhetorical support from permanent members, a notable achievement, and his meetings with Türkiye, Kosovo, and Sudan strengthened bilateral ties. Pundits say these are incremental steps, not game-changing alliances or structural reforms. The ADF enhanced Sierra Leone’s visibility and Bio’s reputation as a global advocate, but tangible benefits remain prospective.
