President Bio in Lagos for WAIIS Private Sector Advisory Board Meeting
Osman Tolo Sesay President Julius Maada Bio has arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, to lead the second meeting of the Private Sector Advisory Board for the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS).
Bio confirmed his arrival in a statement published October 6, saying the meeting would bring him into discussions with private-sector and business leaders as preparations continue for the regional investment summit.
The engagement comes as Sierra Leone steps up preparations to host the inaugural WAIIS on November 17-18 at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
The official WAIIS website identifies Bio as the convener of the summit, which is designed to bring together government leaders, investors, development finance institutions, project owners and business executives to advance investment and regional economic integration.
The Private Sector Advisory Board is intended to bring business perspectives into the summit’s preparations. Earlier reports said the board would examine investment priorities, identify barriers to cross-border transactions and help connect investors with regional projects.
The summit’s preparations are being led by Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, who serves as President Bio’s Special Envoy for WAIIS. State House previously identified Yumkella as the head of the team coordinating preparations for the summit.
WAIIS is expected to focus on investment opportunities across energy and green industrialisation, strategic minerals, agribusiness and food systems, and digital transformation. The organisers say the summit will serve as a platform for investment partnerships and project development across West Africa.
The latest information on Bio’s Lagos visit was also reported in a Facebook post by Myk Berewa, Director of Communications at State House.