AYV News, September 10, 2026
Alhaji Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Special Envoy for the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit, WAIIS 2026, has held a courtesy and working meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Mr. Zhao Yong, as preparations intensify for the regional investment summit.
The meeting, held at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Freetown, provided an opportunity for Dr. Yumkella to brief Ambassador Zhao on WAIIS 2026, its investment focus and opportunities for greater Chinese private sector participation.
Discussions centred on strengthening cooperation and attracting Chinese investment into priority sectors linked to the Summit, which seeks to advance regional integration, industrialisation and sustainable development across West Africa.
Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, PI-CREF, expressed appreciation to Ambassador Zhao and the Government of China for supporting professional training and capacity development opportunities in China for selected PI-CREF staff.
Ambassador Zhao expressed support for WAIIS 2026 and assured Dr. Yumkella of the Embassy’s willingness to cooperate towards the successful organisation of the Summit. He highlighted the longstanding bilateral relationship between China and Sierra Leone and indicated his willingness to explore opportunities for Chinese companies to participate in WAIIS 2026.
He also reaffirmed China’s continued support for PI-CREF, particularly in staff capacity development and professional training.
WAIIS 2026 is expected to bring together governments, investors, development partners and private sector leaders to advance investment opportunities and strengthen regional economic cooperation across West Africa.
