Sierra Leone has begun a local media campaign to promote the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) 2026, which is scheduled to take place in Freetown on 17–18 November.

Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Special Envoy for WAIIS and chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, launched the campaign on 20 October in Aberdeen, Freetown.

Yumkella urged journalists and media institutions to highlight Sierra Leone’s investment potential and opportunities for economic transformation as the country prepares to host the regional gathering.

WAIIS is intended to attract international capital, support cross-border trade and advance economic integration across West Africa. The summit is expected to bring together African business leaders, international investors, financial institutions, development partners and Heads of State.

“WAIIS is not a pledging conference. It is an investment conference where private and public sector institutions have designed projects, and bankers and investment institutions are ready to invest in them,” Yumkella said.

Deal Rooms and investor engagement

Yumkella said the summit would provide a platform for connecting investment-ready projects with financial institutions and strategic partners. He also outlined four thematic pillars intended to guide investor attention toward priority sectors.

A Private Sector Advisory Board has been established for the summit. Its members include Tony Elumelu of Heirs Holdings and Alhaji Aliko Dangote of the Dangote Group.

Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay said several Sierra Leonean investment projects had been included in the WAIIS Deal Rooms. The sessions are designed to allow project developers, government institutions and private businesses to engage directly with prospective investors and financiers.

Joseph Ngana, WAIIS chief operating officer, said organizers had assembled a pipeline of investment opportunities for direct engagement among project promoters, financiers and potential investors.

“We are going to have such an impressive summit with zero glitches that everybody will want to come back to Sierra Leone for more investment talks,” Ngana said.

Regional integration and infrastructure

Yumkella said the summit represents a move away from traditional development conferences toward investment mobilisation and project implementation. He said it is anchored on regional trade, infrastructure development, industrial cooperation and coordinated investment.

He linked the initiative to President Julius Maada Bio’s priorities as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States Authority of Heads of State and Government, particularly the focus on regional economic integration.

The proposed port development by the Gento Group at Kent and Banana Island was cited as an example of major infrastructure investment associated with WAIIS. Yumkella said the project could advance after its remaining processes and requirements are concluded.

Minister of Energy Cyril Grant also highlighted the ongoing Nant Energy Project in Kissy as part of Sierra Leone’s energy development ambitions and its potential contribution to electricity generation and economic activity.

Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation Salima Bah said several projects in the Deal Rooms, including projects from Sierra Leone, had attracted serious interest from prospective investors. The source report did not identify all the projects or confirm final investment commitments.

Oluniyi Robin Coker, president of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the summit and stressed the importance of meaningful private-sector participation.

“We believe that WAIIS will give a boost and speed to not only Sierra Leone’s economy, but the wider West African countries,” Coker said.

Yumkella said organizers anticipate participation by between five and seven Heads of State. Final attendance has not been confirmed.