Bio Mobilises African Finance Leaders Ahead of WAIIS 2026

President Julius Maada Bio has engaged leading African finance and business leaders as Sierra Leone intensifies preparations for the West African Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) 2026.

During a virtual meeting with senior leaders from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa Finance Corporation and African Development Bank Group, President Bio discussed the summit’s focus on mobilising private capital and accelerating economic integration across West Africa.

Bio said WAIIS is being positioned as a leading platform for governments, investors, development finance institutions and private-sector leaders to build partnerships and transform regional development priorities into concrete investment opportunities. Key areas of focus include energy, strategic minerals, agribusiness and digital transformation.

The summit is expected to build on the Freetown Communiqué, which called for stronger collaboration among development finance institutions, private investors and other stakeholders, alongside the development of bankable projects capable of attracting investment to the region.

President Bio also thanked prominent African business leaders Tony Elumelu and Aliko Dangote for their continued support for WAIIS. His latest engagement follows discussions with mining companies operating in Sierra Leone in July, when he encouraged them to support the summit as sponsors and strategic partners.

The WAIIS preparations come as Sierra Leone continues to position itself as a platform for regional dialogue, investment and economic cooperation, following the country’s hosting of the ECOWAS 69th Ordinary Session and Summit on the Future of Regional Integration.

Through the ongoing engagements, the Government aims to strengthen private-sector and development-finance participation in WAIIS 2026 and turn West Africa’s regional integration ambitions into investment, partnerships and economic opportunities.

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