Monday, 9th November, 2026 – The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone has provided financial contributions towards the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS2026), reinforcing China’s support for Sierra Leone’s investment ambitions and economic development agenda.
WAIIS2026 is scheduled for 13–18 November 2026 in Freetown. The summit is being spearheaded by the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), which provides strategic leadership and overall coordination on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone. PI-CREF is mobilising international partners, investors, development finance institutions and private-sector actors to position Sierra Leone as a gateway for investment into West Africa.
A major highlight of the programme is the China–West Africa Investment Forum on 13 November 2026 at the Bintumani Hotel, Freetown. The forum will bring together Chinese business leaders, investors, financial institutions, government representatives and Sierra Leonean private-sector players to explore investment opportunities, establish commercial partnerships and identify financing pathways for strategic projects.
Discussions will focus on trade, infrastructure, industrialisation, technology transfer and regional value chains, with particular attention to opportunities for Chinese companies in Sierra Leone and the wider West African market.
At the signing ceremony, the Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Freetown, Mr. Wang Peng, said China’s ongoing support in Sierra Leone includes plans for a major agricultural extension in Bo District.
“We have planned for a clear commitment on the restoration of the Dodo Hydro Dam in Kenema District,” he said.
The Commercial Counsellor indicated that over 50 Chinese businesses leaders will attend WAIIS and its pre-summit activities.
Chairman of PI-CREF and Special Envoy for WAIIS 2026, Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, welcomed the Embassy’s support as an important contribution to the successful delivery of the summit and to the broader ambition of mobilising investment for sustainable economic transformation across West Africa.
“As the institution mandated by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to provide strategic coordination and leadership for WAIIS2026, PI-CREF is committed to ensuring that this Summit delivers tangible economic value for Sierra Leone and the wider West African region,” Dr. Yumkella said.
The contribution is a practical expression of the longstanding friendship between Sierra Leone and China and gives fresh impetus to efforts to translate diplomatic relations into increased trade, investment and private-sector partnerships.
PI-CREF COMMUNICATIONS
