By Abdulai Fofanah
Freetown, 27th July 2026 – President Julius Maada Bio has identified Sierra Leone’s mining sector as a principal driver of sustainable development and investment flows, as the country prepares to host the West Africa Investment and Sustainability Summit (WAISS 2026) in Lungi from 16–18 November.
Speaking to mining executives at State House, Bio said the summit comes at a pivotal moment for West Africa’s economic transformation, with global demand for critical minerals reshaping trade and industrial policy. “We possess world-class deposits of iron ore, diamond, rutile, bauxite, gold, and increasingly important critical minerals essential to the global energy transition,” he noted.
Bio stressed that Sierra Leone must move beyond raw material exports to become a competitive destination for value-added investment. He outlined a vision of mineral beneficiation, industrial clusters, and stronger local participation across the mining value chain. “The future belongs to nations that create value, not just extract resources,” he said.
The summit’s theme, “Powering Regional Integration through Critical Minerals Partnership,” underscores the role of minerals in driving regional cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Bio said collaboration across borders, harmonized investment frameworks, and regional processing hubs could ensure more value remains in Africa while attracting larger volumes of international capital.
One of the summit’s highlights will be dedicated sector rooms where mining companies, investors, sovereign wealth funds, and development finance institutions can engage directly. Participating firms will present investment-ready projects to potential financiers, aiming to unlock new capital flows and forge long-term partnerships.
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), said the summit will focus on four pillars: energy trade and industrialisation, strategic minerals, agribusiness and food systems, and digital transformation. He confirmed that major African multilateral financiers—including the African Development Bank, AfriExim Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, and Africa50—are already on board.
Yumkella added that Sierra Leone is partnering with Richard T. S. & Associates, known for organizing global forums such as the World Economic Forum and G20, to ensure international visibility and seamless logistics. “Our country is open for business. We want to showcase Sierra Leone as a destination where investors can bet on growth and resilience,” he said.
With sponsorships being sought to support branding and logistics, WAISS 2026 is set to position Sierra Leone not only as a hub for mining investment but also as a platform for West Africa’s broader economic integration.
