India and Sierra Leone have maintained diplomatic ties since Sierra Leone's independence in 1961. The relationship is anchored in Commonwealth ties, ITEC capacity building, and India-Africa Forum Summit cooperation. Post-civil war reconstruction (1991–2002) created opportunities for Indian development cooperation, and an Indian business community — primarily engaged in diamond and mineral trade — has been present in Sierra Leone for decades. Indian pharmaceutical exports support Sierra Leone's health system.
COOPERATION AREAS
Where India and Sierra Leone actually work together
4 active areas of cooperation, as of July 2026. Click any card for the full brief.
TRADE & INVESTMENT
By the numbers
Estimates based on DGFT and UN Comtrade data, FY 2023–24. Pharmaceutical exports dominate; diamond and mineral trade operates partly through international commodity markets.
$200m
Total bilateral trade in goods
$150m
India exports to country
$50m
India imports from country
Trade trajectory · USD bn
$0.2bnin FY24 · click a bar to compare years
TOP TRADED ITEMS
AGREEMENTS & MILESTONES
The relationship since 1961, in 6 dates
CURRENT STATE
Where things stand, 2026
India-Sierra Leone relations are stable and oriented toward development cooperation. Pharmaceutical exports, ITEC scholarships, and Exim Bank infrastructure projects are the active channels. The diamond trade provides a commercial link between private sector actors. Sierra Leone's continued recovery from the civil war and the Ebola crisis creates ongoing scope for Indian development contributions.
SIGNALS TO WATCH
On track / positive momentum
In progress / worth watching
Stalled or facing headwinds
Not yet started / unclear
QUICK FACTS
CapitalFreetown
Population8 million
RegionAfrica
Diplomatic tiesSince 1961
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