A high-level military and diplomatic delegation from Sierra Leone has paid an official visit to the Alexandria Naval Base and Shipyard in Egypt as part of ongoing efforts to enhance Defence cooperation and explore commercial opportunities.
The team was warmly received by Admiral Mohamed Farouk Zaki, Chief Engineer of the Egyptian Navy at the Alexandria Naval Base, the country’s main facility for naval and commercial ship maintenance.
The visit, aimed at deepening military-to-military ties and learning from Egypt’s defence industrial model, featured a detailed presentation on naval operations, manpower planning, and strategic partnerships.
Ambassador Sadiq Silla, representing the political arm of the delegation, provided the broader diplomatic context, noting that the mission aligns with the military cooperation protocol signed between both countries.
He emphasized Sierra Leone’s intention to adapt Egypt’s naval and commercial frameworks to build its Defence Service Enterprise (DSE).
Air Commodore Hassan Coomber, team lead, provided context from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Defence, describing ongoing reforms to transform the military into a productive and commercially viable institution.
The delegation was particularly interested in how Egypt’s military integrates commercial operations within its naval structure, especially through partnerships, financing, and recruitment. Retired Brigadier KES Boyah also acknowledged Egypt’s past contributions to Sierra Leone’s military capacity building and encouraged deeper collaboration.
During their visit to the Alexandria Shipyard—the largest in Egypt-the delegation was received by Rear Admiral Hossam El Din Ezzat Kotb, Chairman of the facility, and other senior naval officers.
Established in 1962 and now under the Ministry of Defence, the shipyard plays a critical role in shipbuilding and repairs, not just for the Egyptian Navy but also for commercial vessels Officials highlighted the transformation of the yard into a modern military-commercial entity since 2015 and expressed keen interest in partnering with Sierra Leone in shipbuilding and other naval projects.
Ambassador Silla once again addressed the gathering, outlining Sierra Leone’s military reform agenda and requesting a reciprocal visit by Egyptian shipyard officials to assess local conditions.
Captain Kallon from Sierra Leone’s Navy presented specific areas where capacity support and investment are needed, pointing out existing gaps and opportunities. The Egyptian side responded positively, offering cooperation based on mutual benefit and pan-African solidarity.
The visit concluded with a comprehensive tour of the Alexandria Shipyard, allowing the delegation to witness firsthand the facility’s scale and capabilities.
Commodore Coomber stressed the importance of feasibility studies to guide Sierra Leone’s defence enterprise development.
Business Consultant Joe Bass Bangura also expressed interest in the intersection between public defence institutions and the private sector.
The mission marked a significant step forward in Sierra Leone’s efforts to modernize its military and establish a productive commercial wing.
By Mohamed B. Kallon
Information Attachè
Sierra Leone Embassy in Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt
