President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Julius Maada Bio, has called for bold and practical leadership across Africa as the continent confronts global instability, climate pressures and rapid technological change.
Speaking at the 2026 Oxford Africa Conference held at the University of Oxford on Saturday, President Bio delivered the Presidential Keynote Address under the theme: “Anchoring Africa: Grounded, Game-Changing Leadership in the Age of Disruption.”
Addressing academics, policymakers, students and members of the African diaspora, President Bio stressed that Africa’s future depends not only on asserting its global voice but also on building resilient institutions capable of withstanding modern-day challenges.
Reflecting on his previous remarks about African agency, the Sierra Leonean leader urged African nations to focus on sustainability and long-term stability.
“This year, we must ask something harder: Can what we define endure? Can it survive shocks and disruption?” he said.
President Bio argued that many of Africa’s current crises are interconnected and should not be treated separately. He explained that climate shocks, food insecurity, economic instability and security threats often fuel one another.
“A drought does not stay a drought. It becomes a food crisis. A food crisis becomes a revenue crisis. A revenue crisis becomes a security crisis,” he stated.
The President called on African governments to treat constitutional order, economic resilience, security cooperation, climate adaptation and youth empowerment as shared public priorities.
Speaking in his dual role as President of Sierra Leone and ECOWAS Chairman, Bio reflected on Sierra Leone’s recovery from civil war, the Ebola outbreak, economic difficulties and climate-related challenges. He described the country as an example of resilience and gradual reform.
He highlighted flagship initiatives such as the Free Quality Education Programme and the Feed Salone initiative, which he said are expanding access to education and boosting domestic food production.
“These are not perfect outcomes. But they are meaningful ones,” he noted. “They show that when policy is sustained and aligned with national priorities, progress becomes tangible.”
On governance and regional security, President Bio warned that the recent rise in coups and unconstitutional changes of government in parts of West Africa reflects deeper governance failures and declining public trust.
“Democracy goes far beyond elections,” he said. “To be meaningful, democracy must work in substance.”
He added that instability in one West African country inevitably affects neighboring states through conflict, migration, arms trafficking and economic disruption, underscoring the need for stronger regional cooperation.
The Sierra Leonean leader also emphasized the importance of Africa’s growing youth population, describing it as one of the continent’s defining realities. He warned that governments and institutions must adapt quickly to meet the expectations of young people.
“Africa is the world’s youngest continent,” he said. “If politics does not adapt to demographic reality, frustration will outrun reform.”
On technology and innovation, President Bio called for greater African participation in the governance and regulation of Artificial Intelligence, cautioning that Africa risks becoming a passive consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
“We need a pan-African AI governance framework,” he declared, urging African governments and institutions to shape emerging technologies in ways that reflect African interests and realities.
Addressing climate change, President Bio described the issue as one of the greatest injustices facing the continent, noting that Africa contributes the least to global emissions yet suffers heavily from the effects of climate change.
He called for fair access to global climate financing while encouraging African nations to continue investing in resilience and adaptation measures.
In his closing remarks, President Bio urged young Africans and members of the diaspora to remain actively connected to the continent’s development.
“To the young Africans here, build where you stand. But stay connected to where you come from,” he said. “The diaspora is not outside Africa’s story. The diaspora is one of Africa’s most powerful assets.”
He concluded by expressing confidence in Africa’s future, while emphasizing that lasting progress would require strong institutions, steady leadership and meaningful reforms.
“Africa can anchor its own story. We are already doing so,” President Bio concluded.
