Freetown, 5th June, 2026 – President Julius Maada Bio has requested the postponement of the ECOWAS Summit originally scheduled for June in Freetown, citing the need to complete Sierra Leone’s new $124 million international conference centre in Lungi. The project, one of the largest single infrastructure undertakings of his administration, is expected to transform the country’s capacity to host high‑level global events.
The state‑of‑the‑art complex is designed to include a presidential‑level meeting hall capable of accommodating up to 20 heads of state and their delegations, a 1,400‑seat multipurpose auditorium for conferences and cultural events, a 500‑seat banquet hall, and several breakout rooms tailored for large professional gatherings.
The decision to request a postponement of the summit reflects a strategic choice to showcase Sierra Leone’s new flagship facility once completed, positioning the country as a competitive destination for international diplomacy, investment forums, and cultural exchange. The centre is also expected to boost tourism and create jobs, while reinforcing the administration’s commitment to infrastructure‑driven development.
The postponement underscores the government’s ambition to align major international events with the unveiling of landmark projects, ensuring that Sierra Leone’s growing profile on the global stage is matched by modern facilities capable of hosting world leaders and large‑scale gatherings.
