Post a comment 
The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formally approved the convening of the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS 2026).
The approval contained in the main report under Section 11, paragraphs 93-95, which formally endorses and institutionalizes the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) and directs the initiative to collaborate with the newly established ECOWAS Business Council to advance private sector-led investment and regional economic integration was granted during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, hosted in Lungi, Sierra Leone, under the chairmanship of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
WAIIS 2026 is a flagship initiative of President Julius Maada Bio in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. Scheduled to take place in Lungi, Sierra Leone, from 16-18 November 2026, the summit will bring together Heads of State, ministers, investors, development finance institutions, business leaders and international partners.
The decision followed the consideration and recommendation of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers chaired by Hon. Timothy Musa Kabba. The Council reviewed the Summit framework and its proposed investment agenda before submitting it to the Authority of Heads of State and Government for approval.
Additionally, the Summit will be convened under the theme: “Powering Regional Integration through Energy Trade, Strategic Minerals, Agribusiness and Digital Transformation.”
Its programme will focus on four priority areas: Energy Trade and Industrial Growth; Strategic Minerals and Natural Resource Development; Agribusiness and Food Systems Transformation; and Digital Transformation and Regional Connectivity.
WAIIS 2026 is designed as an action-focused investment platform. It will seek to identify bankable regional projects, mobilise public and private capital, strengthen regional value chains, and address the policy and infrastructure barriers limiting trade and investment across West Africa.
“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 mobilise investment in cross-border energy, strategic minerals, agribusiness, and digital transformation. By unlocking these opportunities, we can accelerate industrialisation, 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.” His Excellency President Bio said.
“The approval by the Authority gives WAIIS 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 said.
WAIIS 2026 will seek to convert those technical recommendations into investment agreements, regional policy commitments and partnerships capable of delivering measurable benefits for ECOWAS citizens.
