Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government has formally approved the convening of the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIS 2026), marking a significant step toward deepening regional economic integration and attracting private sector investment.
The approval was granted during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority, hosted in Lungi, Sierra Leone, under the chairmanship of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. It is formalized in the main report under Section 11, paragraphs 93–95, which endorses and institutionalizes the summit while directing it to collaborate with the newly established ECOWAS Business Council.
Scheduled for 16–18 November 2026 in Lungi, Sierra Leone, WAIS 2026 is a flagship initiative of President Bio. The summit will convene Heads of State, ministers, investors, development finance institutions, business leaders, and international partners to advance practical investment opportunities across the region.
The event will operate under the theme “Powering Regional Integration through Energy Trade, Strategic Minerals, Agribusiness and Digital Transformation.” Its program will focus on four priority areas:
– Energy Trade and Industrial Growth
– Strategic Minerals and Natural Resource Development
– Agribusiness and Food Systems Transformation
– Digital Transformation and Regional Connectivity
According to the press release, WAIS 2026 is designed as an action-focused investment platform. It aims to identify bankable regional projects, mobilize public and private capital, strengthen regional value chains, and address policy and infrastructure barriers limiting trade and investment across West Africa.
President Bio’s Vision
In a statement, President Bio emphasized the summit’s importance:
“During my tenure as Chair, we have advanced the proposal for the ECOWAS Regional Integration and Investment Summit. This initiative will bring together governments, development finance institutions, and the private sector to mobilize investment in cross-border energy, strategic minerals, agribusiness, and digital transformation. By unlocking these opportunities, we can accelerate industrialization, strengthen regional value chains, expand intra-regional trade, and create jobs and shared prosperity across West Africa. I invite the continued support of Member States and partners as we work toward transforming our region into one market.”
The decision followed recommendations from the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, chaired by Hon. Timothy Musa Kabba. Earlier groundwork included an Expert Group Meeting and Ministerial Conference held in Freetown in April 2026, which produced the Freetown Communiqué and an initial portfolio of priority regional initiatives.
Special Envoy’s Reaction
Hon. Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Special Envoy for WAIS 2026, welcomed the approval, describing it as a major step toward a more integrated and competitive West African economy.
“The approval by the Authority gives WAIS 2026 a clear regional mandate. It demonstrates the commitment of our Heads of State to moving regional integration from policy declarations to practical investments that can create jobs, expand energy access, strengthen food security and support industrial development.”
Dr. Yumkella commended President Bio for centering economic integration during Sierra Leone’s ECOWAS chairmanship and highlighted ongoing collaboration with international partners including Richard Attias & Associates, AfSEN, BrandComms, UNIDO, ECOWAS, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and others. The summit will seek to translate technical recommendations into concrete investment agreements and partnerships.
For Sierra Leone, the approval reinforces the country’s leadership role in shaping regional discussions on trade, investment, energy security, food systems, industrial development, and digital connectivity.
