State House, Freetown, Thursday, 23 July 2026 – His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio hosted Chief Executive Officers and General Managers of leading mining companies operating in Sierra Leone at an official luncheon at State House to present the upcoming West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) 2026 and seek strategic partnerships ahead of the landmark regional event scheduled for November.
The luncheon brought together leaders of the mining sector and senior government officials, reflecting the Government’s commitment to working with the private sector to position Sierra Leone as a leading destination for investment and regional economic integration.
Welcoming the executives, President Bio described WAIIS 2026 as “a pivotal moment for Sierra Leone’s transformative agenda”, built on a shared vision of trust and prosperity, and thanked the mining companies for their continued investment and confidence in the country.
“This Summit is about building the foundation for an integrated African market where more value remains on the continent. You are not merely operators of mineral resources; you are partners in development,” the President said.
President Bio said the Summit would create a platform for governments, investors, financiers and private sector actors to forge partnerships and unlock investment opportunities across the ECOWAS region.
He highlighted dedicated sector-focused investment rooms that will connect project sponsors, mining companies, development finance institutions, commercial banks, private equity firms and investors to facilitate structured business engagements.
Inviting the companies to become funding sponsors and strategic partners of WAIIS 2026, the President said the Summit was designed to generate business opportunities, investment commitments and transformative projects that strengthen Sierra Leone’s position as a preferred investment destination while advancing regional economic integration.
Reaffirming his Government’s commitment to investors, President Bio assured participants of continued policy consistency, regulatory transparency, responsible and environmentally sustainable mining, improved infrastructure and energy access, as well as stronger local partnerships and workforce development.
Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, thanked President Bio for his visionary leadership in constructing the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, which will host the Summit.
He outlined WAIIS 2026’s four strategic pillars: Energy, Trade and Industrial Growth; Strategic Minerals and Natural Resource Development; Agribusiness and Food Systems Transformation; and Digital Transformation and Connectivity.
Dr. Yumkella said the Summit would produce priority investment pipelines, analytical reports and outcome documents, facilitate partnerships between governments and the private sector, and accelerate regional economic integration through bankable projects across the ECOWAS region.
Speaking on behalf of the mining companies, the Chief Executive Officers and General Managers pledged their full support for WAIIS 2026, describing it as a laudable initiative that would benefit Sierra Leone, the ECOWAS region and Africa by fostering meaningful partnerships and investment agreements.
The luncheon was attended by Chief Executive Officers and General Managers from Leone Rock Metal Group, Sierra Rutile Limited, Fison Resources SL Limited, FG Gold Mining Company, PG Mining SL Limited, Leone Afric Metals Sierra Leone Limited, Minenet Company Limited, CTC Mining and Gold Lion Mining Company, alongside senior government officials.
