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Sierra Leone and Nigeria have signaled their intention to co-host an ECOWAS-CEDAO Investment Summit in 2026, marking a significant step toward deepening economic integration across West Africa.
The proposal emerged following a high-level meeting between Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, representing President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
The proposed summit is envisioned as a follow-up to the Economic Summit held last year, with the aim of translating the region’s economic potential into tangible cross-border partnerships and investment opportunities.
Discussions during the meeting focused on four key “anchor sectors” considered critical to the region’s future growth.
These include energy trade, with an emphasis on strengthening regional power pools and cross-border electricity markets to address power deficits across the sub-region.
The talks also highlighted strategic minerals, particularly the need for local beneficiation of raw materials to ensure West African countries retain greater value from their mineral resources.
Digital transformation was another priority area, building on recent bilateral memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to harmonize digital infrastructure and promote innovation. Agribusiness also featured prominently, with discussions centered on developing sustainable value chains to improve food security and boost intra-ECOWAS trade.
Dr. Yumkella emphasized that the proposed partnership is intended to promote investment across the entire ECOWAS region.
“We will brief our respective presidents on a proposed partnership to co-host an ECOWAS-CEDAO Investment Summit in 2026, to complement and follow up on the Economic Summit held last year,” Dr. Yumkella said.
