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Leone’s investment drive ahead of the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) 2026, with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yong expressing readiness to explore opportunities for Chinese companies to participate in the upcoming summit.
Ambassador Zhao made the commitment during a courtesy and working meeting with Sierra Leone’s Special Envoy, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, on Wednesday at the Chinese Embassy in Freetown.
The meeting focused on strengthening economic cooperation and creating opportunities for increased Chinese private sector investment in Sierra Leone and other priority sectors across the region.
Yumkella briefed Ambassador Zhao on the investment agenda of WAIIS 2026, highlighting opportunities for Chinese companies to contribute to regional integration, industrialisation, and sustainable development across West Africa.
The meeting also addressed cooperation between China and the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF).
Patrick Kormawa, Chief Technical Adviser to PI-CREF, expressed appreciation to China for its support towards professional training and capacity development for PI-CREF staff. He said such cooperation was important to strengthening local expertise in renewable energy and food security.
Ambassador Zhao reaffirmed China’s longstanding bilateral relations with Sierra Leone and said the embassy was prepared to explore avenues for Chinese companies to participate in WAIIS 2026.
He also reiterated China’s continued cooperation with PI-CREF, particularly in staff training and professional development.
Scheduled for 17–18 November 2026, WAIIS 2026 is expected to bring together governments, investors, development partners, and private sector leaders to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation across West Africa.
