The Independent News
By Grace Murine Thompson
London
On July 10th, 2025, Madam President made history as the first sitting President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association to speak at the UK House of Commons. Her contribution was part of a high-level conference themed: “Doing Business in Africa—Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies to Globalize African Business.” She featured as a key panelist in Panel 1: Making Africa Business-Friendly, a cross-sector discussion focused on improving the ease of doing business across the continent through better governance, progressive legal frameworks, infrastructure investment, and innovation.
Moderated by Ezekiel Solesi, CEO of LIMB simple, the panel also included prominent voices such as Mr. Khalil Halilu, CEO of NASENI SHC; Mr. Alex Omiogbemi, GMD of Rainbow Group; and Mr. Mustapha Njie, CEO of TAF Africa Global. Yet it was President Tuma’s intervention that stood out for its clarity, depth, and vision.
She spoke with conviction on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and its untapped potential to boost regional economic cooperation. More importantly, she issued a powerful call to African governments to make Africa business-friendly for African investors. She emphasized the need for legal and institutional reforms that would attract not just international capital but intra-African investment—enabling African entrepreneurs and businesses to thrive across borders. She called for the removal of bureaucratic and legal bottlenecks, highlighting the role of justice systems, regulatory clarity, and institutional trust in unlocking African prosperity from within.
In a moment of national pride, Madam President also took the opportunity to congratulate His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on his appointment as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, describing it as a timely recognition of Sierra Leone’s potential to lead on regional policy and integration.
The next day, July 11th, President Tuma graced the House of Lords as an Award Presenter at the celebratory dinner hosted by Baroness Sandip Verma. Standing shoulder to shoulder with African trailblazers and British dignitaries including Diane Abbott MP, she honoured excellence across the continent with poise, dignity, and unmistakable leadership.
Her presence at these events—both symbolic and substantive—marks a proud and historic chapter for Sierra Leone and for African women in leadership. President Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara did not simply attend; she elevated the discourse, embodied the best of our values, and left an indelible mark on one of the world’s most respected stages.
