AYV News, October 13, 2026
Socio-political analyst Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden OOR has called on Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad to support President Julius Maada Bio and the upcoming West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS), describing the initiative as one that could become a major turning point for West Africa.
In a Facebook post, Dr. Blyden said: “I believe we all should fully support H.E. President Julius Maada Bio on this Summit. For me, I am onboard as an unsolicited member of Team Braggalicious For WAIIS.”
President Bio has arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, for the second meeting of the WAIIS Private Sector Advisory Board, as preparations intensify for the inaugural summit in Sierra Leone.
WAIIS is scheduled for 17–18 November 2026 at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi. It will bring together Heads of State, investors, business leaders, development finance institutions and project owners to advance regional investment and economic integration.
The summit will focus on four major investment pillars: energy and green industrialisation, strategic minerals, agribusiness and food systems, and digital transformation and connectivity.
Organisers say the platform is designed to move beyond discussions by connecting investment-ready projects with capital and facilitating deal-making.
WAIIS is expected to showcase a regional investment pipeline valued at more than US$180 billion across West Africa, with a market of over 450 million people.
President Bio said he looked forward to productive discussions with private-sector and business leaders as preparations continue for the November summit.
