On Tuesday, 7 July 2026: Sierra Leone is set to host the 69th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, with President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, serving as host for the high-level regional summit.
The summit will take place on 19 July 2026 at the newly established Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, bringing together Heads of State and Government from across the West African region to deliberate on key issues affecting regional integration, peace, security, and development.
Ahead of the summit, Sierra Leone will host a series of mid-year ECOWAS statutory meetings in Freetown from 12 to 17 July 2026. The meetings will bring together ministers, ECOWAS officials, delegates, and other stakeholders from member states.
The programme will include the 39th Meeting of the Administration and Finance Committee from 12 to 14 July at Bintumani New Hall, followed by the 56th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level on 15 July. The Joint Mediation and Security Council Meeting on the Compact of the Future will also be held on the same day, while the 96th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers is scheduled for 16 to 17 July.
On 18 July, President Bio will officially commission the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot. The new conference facility is expected to strengthen Sierra Leone’s capacity to host major international events, while the logistics depot will enhance the operational capacity of ECOWAS institutions.
The hosting of the summit and related meetings highlights Sierra Leone’s growing role within ECOWAS and President Bio’s commitment to promoting regional cooperation, strengthening peace and security, and advancing collective development across West Africa.
