Republic of Sierra Leone

Diplomatic relations were established in 1974, when the Brazilian embassy in Accra (Ghana) and the Sierra Leone embassy in Washington (USA) became cumulatively responsible for overseeing  the bilateral relationship.

Relations went through a phase of consolidation in the 2000s, marked by high-level visits and the signing of agreements – Technical Cooperation (2008), establishment of a Joint Bilateral Commission and a Political Consultations Mechanism (2009) –, culminating with the opening of the Brazilian Embassy in Freetown (2012-2019).

Chronology of bilateral relations

2023 – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone David J. Francis visits Brazil (April)

2022 – Representatives of the government of Sierra Leone participate in a virtual study visit to Brazil’s National School Feeding Program within the scope of a trilateral project with the participation of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, the National Education Development Fund (FNDE) and the Center for Excellence against Hunger from the World Food Program (WFP), based in Brasília

2021 – The World Food Program (WFP/UN) concludes donation of 100,000 face masks, funded by Brazil, to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone

2019 – The Brazilian Embassy in Accra (Ghana) becomes cumulatively responsible for representing Brazilian interests in Sierra Leone

2014 – The Brazilian Government makes a financial donation to different United Nations agencies to combat the Ebola virus and assist the population of Guinea-Conakry, Liberia and Sierra Leone

2013 – Sierra Leonean Minister of Agriculture Joseph Sam Sesay visits Brazil

2012 – The Brazilian Embassy in Freetown (Sierra Leone) begins its activities

2010 – The Brazilian Cooperation Agency sends three expert missions to Sierra Leone to train Sierra Leonean technicians in the areas of women and pregnant women care, STD and AIDS prevention, irrigation, fish farming and cassava processing

2009 – President Ernest Bai Koroma visits Brazil. Signing of the instruments establishing the Political Consultations Mechanism and the bilateral Joint Committee

2008 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Zainab Bangura visits Brazil. Signing of the bilateral Technical Cooperation Agreement.  Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Ernest Bai Koroma meet on the sidelines of the 12th UNCTAD, in Accra (Ghana).

1974 – Brazil and Sierra Leone establish diplomatic relations. The Embassies of Brazil in Accra (Ghana) and Sierra Leone in Washington (United States of America) become cumulatively responsible for the bilateral relationship

1961 – Brazilian parliamentary mission participates in the celebration of Sierra Leone’s independence

1847 - Brazil opens an honorary vice consulate in Freetown, which would operate until 1871