Sierra Leone is intensifying preparations to showcase a strong portfolio of investment opportunities at the upcoming West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) 2026, with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) leading efforts to ensure that proposed projects are financially credible, commercially viable and ready to attract investors.
The renewed focus on bankable projects formed part of discussions at a high-level stakeholder meeting held in Freetown on Thursday, 13 August 2026, as government steps up preparations for the three-day investment summit scheduled for 16–18 November 2026.
The meeting brought together members of the Ministerial Steering Committee, technical officials, investment stakeholders and other actors involved in the preparation and assessment of projects expected to be presented at WAIIS 2026.
At the centre of the discussions was the need for Sierra Leone to approach the summit with a carefully selected portfolio of projects capable of attracting private investment, development financing and strategic partnerships.
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development says the initiative is aimed at transforming the country’s investment potential into practical opportunities that can generate employment, stimulate private-sector growth, strengthen infrastructure and expand economic opportunities for citizens.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, stressed the importance of presenting credible projects that are closely aligned with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities.
According to the Minister, the country must not simply attend the summit with ideas, but with properly developed proposals that investors and development finance institutions can assess and support.
She also underscored the need for stronger coordination among ministries, departments and agencies responsible for developing and implementing the proposed projects.
The Special Envoy for WAIIS, Alhaji Dr Kandeh K. Yumkella, described the summit as an important platform for Sierra Leone to turn its considerable economic potential into concrete investment partnerships.
He noted that the country has opportunities across several productive sectors, but emphasised the importance of ensuring that such opportunities are presented in a manner that can attract serious investors and produce sustainable development outcomes.
The projects being considered for presentation at WAIIS 2026 cover a broad range of sectors regarded as critical to Sierra Leone’s economic transformation.
These include energy, strategic minerals, agribusiness, digital transformation, tourism, fisheries, the blue economy, maritime connectivity and industrial development.
Government believes investment in these areas could have significant multiplier effects on the wider economy, particularly through job creation, infrastructure development, increased business activity and improved access to markets.
However, officials say not every proposed project will automatically qualify for presentation at the summit.
Director of Planning and Research at MoPED, Dr Sheka Bangura, explained that projects are expected to undergo a rigorous assessment process to determine their level of preparedness and investment attractiveness.
The assessment will include technical and market studies, detailed costing, financial modelling, economic appraisal and risk analysis.
The process is intended to establish whether individual projects are sufficiently developed to move from concept to actual investment engagement.
Dr Bangura said the final selection would take into consideration several factors, including alignment with national development priorities, the level of project preparation, bankability, implementation capacity and readiness for engagement with potential investors.
The approach reflects government’s broader effort to ensure that investment promotion is supported by credible proposals rather than broad statements of opportunity.
For Sierra Leone, the WAIIS platform is expected to provide an avenue to promote major investment opportunities while engaging investors, development finance institutions and strategic partners interested in the country’s economic prospects.
MoPED is therefore expected to continue working with the National Investment Board, line ministries, government agencies, development partners and private-sector stakeholders as the project portfolio is refined ahead of the summit.
The collaboration is intended to ensure that projects emerging from different sectors are subjected to appropriate technical scrutiny and are packaged in a way that clearly communicates their economic value, financing requirements, expected returns and potential development impact.
The ministry’s efforts come as Sierra Leone seeks to accelerate implementation of its Medium Term National Development Plan and strengthen the country’s capacity to mobilise domestic and international resources for development.
Beyond attracting capital, officials believe that well-structured investment projects could contribute to the creation of sustainable jobs, expansion of local businesses, improved infrastructure and greater participation of Sierra Leoneans in economic activity.
With WAIIS 2026 approaching, the emphasis is increasingly shifting from identifying opportunities to preparing projects capable of moving into actual investment discussions.
MoPED says the ultimate objective is to present a focused and credible portfolio that can position Sierra Leone as an attractive destination for investment while supporting the country’s long-term development ambitions and delivering tangible benefits to citizens.