Part Nine – Beyond Borders, Within Reach — Dr Ibrahim Bangura’s Global Vision for Regional Integration and Economic Diplomacy
By Jarrah Kawusu-Konte
Sierra Leone is a proud nation, but it cannot prosper in isolation. We live in a world of interconnected economies, fast-moving trade blocs, and regional power dynamics that determine the fate of nations. Yet, for the past seven years, we have shrunk inward. Our diplomacy has been reactive, our trade agreements underleveraged, and our global standing quietly eroded.
From ECOWAS to the African Continental Free Trade Area, Sierra Leone has often been a bystander, present in name, absent in influence. Meanwhile, neighboring nations like Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal have leveraged regional integration to expand trade, attract investment and assert diplomatic leadership.
According to the World Bank’s 2023 Africa Pulse Report, intra-African trade could increase by over 50% under AfCFTA, yet Sierra Leone remains among the least prepared to benefit.
It doesn’t have to be this way. With the right leadership, Sierra Leone can position itself not as a passive observer of integration, but as a strategic driver. Dr Ibrahim Bangura is that kind of leader, international in outlook, grounded in national interest.
Dr Bangura has served as a trusted advisor to ECOWAS and the African Union, where he championed peace, good governance and transnational cooperation. His vision for Sierra Leone is one that moves from the periphery to the centre, using diplomacy, trade and regional collaboration to lift our economy and inspire a new generation of globally minded citizens.
He proposes a new Economic Diplomacy Framework that puts trade, investment and strategic partnerships at the core of our foreign policy. No longer will embassies serve merely ceremonial functions, they will become hubs for market research, diaspora engagement, and business facilitation.
He envisions a Regional Export Readiness Strategy, which supports local entrepreneurs and agribusinesses in meeting the standards, logistics and digital tools needed to sell across borders. He knows that integration is not only about protocols, but about practical pathways for ordinary Sierra Leoneans to access new markets.
Dr Bangura also calls for stronger bilateral ties with neighboring countries rooted in mutual development goals, from joint energy projects to cross-border education programs. His diplomatic engagements reflect his belief in a peaceful, united West Africa that prioritises shared growth.
As a 2024 Africa Oxford Fellow, and a scholar with an international teaching footprint, Dr Bangura brings credibility and clarity to Sierra Leone’s global engagements. His publications on cross-border peacebuilding, development cooperation and multilateralism are already influencing regional policy debates. He speaks the language of policy and diplomacy, not just in theory, but in practice.
Yet what makes his vision truly powerful is that it is always anchored in people. He often says, “Diplomacy must be a servant of the citizen.” Whether it’s helping a small cocoa farmer in Kailahun export to Liberia, or ensuring Sierra Leonean students access exchange programs in Kenya, or supporting cross-border trade for women vendors in Kambia, his goal is simple: integration that touches lives.
He believes that regional unity begins with domestic confidence. A strong Sierra Leone can be a strong West African partner. But strength begins with leadership: steady, knowledgeable, respected.
As the APC prepares for its National Delegates Conference, we must look beyond slogans. We must elect someone who can represent Sierra Leone with dignity, negotiate with skill, and champion our interests on the regional and global stage.
Dr Ibrahim Bangura has the networks, the intellect, and the resolve. He is the face of a future Sierra Leone that is proud, engaged and forward-looking.
Let us heal our fractured diplomacy, unite across borders, and build prosperity through global partnerships.
Let us elect Dr Ibrahim Bangura.
……………………………………………….
Jarrah Kawusu-Konte is a communication Specialist, former Political Editor of the We Yone Newspaper (2003 – 2006) and former Communications Manager and Director of Communications at State House (2011 – 2018). Former APC MP candidate for Koinadugu District in 2002. A son of the soil, a believer in redemption, and a servant of hope.
