A delegation from Sierra Leone Embassy Beijing, PRC, led by Ambassador Karim and including Mr. Alpha Ahmed Tejan‑Sie, Mr. Derek Zhou Yang, and Mr. Idrissa Conteh, met with the FANGDA GROUP at its Beijing headquarters in Chaoyang District. FANGDA—one of China’s major conglomerates with operations in medical manufacturing, steel, aviation, mining, and logistics—has prioritized Africa as a core region for its 2026 global expansion strategy.

Mr. Yinan Liu, Senior Partner and Executive President of FANGDA, welcomed the delegation and confirmed Sierra Leone’s inclusion among the Group’s priority countries for exploration. This meeting marked FANGDA’s first direct engagement with Sierra Leone and provided an opportunity to assess the country’s investment landscape.

Ambassador Karim positioned Sierra Leone as a compelling destination for large‑scale industrial investment, emphasizing its extensive arable land, rich mineral resources, and the government’s strong commitment to industrialization. He encouraged FANGDA to consider establishing a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant to address a critical regional supply gap and reduce reliance on imported medicines.

The discussion also explored aviation opportunities linked to FANGDA’s ownership of Hainan Airlines. Ambassador Karim proposed the creation of a direct or dedicated cargo route between China and Sierra Leone to support the growing trade flows between China and West Africa, addressing a major logistical constraint for businesses in the region.

Mr. Liu expressed the Group’s readiness to move forward and outlined concrete areas of interest, including the development of a steel production facility and a pharmaceutical plant—both aligned with Sierra Leone’s national priorities and FANGDA’s industrial capabilities.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from FANGDA to undertake a feasibility mission to Sierra Leone, aimed at advancing discussions, evaluating project sites, and laying the groundwork for long‑term strategic cooperation.