A two-day high-level engagement bringing together experts and ministers from across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has concluded in Freetown, setting out a coordinated framework to drive regional development ahead of the West Africa Economic Integration and Investment Summit 2026.

The Expert Group Meeting and Ministerial Conference, held under the theme “Powering Regional Integration through: Energy Trade, Strategic Minerals, Agribusiness and Digital Transformation,” focused on aligning policies and investment priorities across four key sectors considered central to West Africa’s economic transformation.

Hosted in Freetown, the meeting convened ministers, senior technical experts, development partners and private sector representatives, all working toward a shared vision of increased investment, industrial growth and deeper regional integration.

Speaking at the close of the meeting, Special Envoy for the Summit, Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, said the engagement marked a deliberate effort to bridge the longstanding gap between technical experts and policymakers.

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“Experts have often operated in isolation from policymakers,” Yumkella noted. “This platform was designed to bring both groups into the same room to ensure that technical recommendations directly inform policy decisions.”

He added that the selected focus areas energy, mining, agriculture and digitalization represent critical drivers of economic growth and have significant potential to attract investment across the region.

At the conclusion of deliberations, participants adopted a detailed communiqué, now known as the “Freetown Communiqué,” which was presented to Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, who also serves as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The communiqué outlines a broad range of policy commitments and strategic actions aimed at strengthening regional competitiveness. In the energy sector, it emphasizes expanding cross-border electricity trade and investing in transmission infrastructure to support industrialization.

On mining, stakeholders underscored the need for transparent and responsible resource governance. Proposals include the establishment of a regional minerals exploration fund and the introduction of a digital cadastre system to enhance data integrity and attract sustainable investment.

Agriculture discussions centered on reducing dependence on food imports by strengthening regional food systems. Participants called for large-scale agribusiness investments, improved value chains and the removal of intra-regional trade barriers.

Digital transformation also emerged as a key pillar, with commitments to expand digital infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity frameworks and foster innovation ecosystems aimed at creating jobs, particularly for young people, and facilitating cross-border trade.

The communiqué further highlights financing strategies, partnerships with development institutions and a roadmap for implementation in the lead-up to the 2026 summit. It also calls for stronger coordination among member states and proposes a monitoring mechanism to track progress on agreed initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a unified commitment from stakeholders to advance practical, investment-driven actions that will deepen regional integration and position the upcoming summit as a critical platform for translating policy into tangible economic outcomes across West Africa.