Programme
WAIIS 2026 Programme
Three days of investment dialogue, regional collaboration and deal-making, moving West Africa from potential to production.
At a glance
Follow the summit journey from focused pre-summit forums to high-level roundtables, investment commitments and closing announcements.
10–16 NOV
Pre-Summit Activities
16 NOV
Apex Pre-Summit Sessions
17 NOV
Apex Summit — Day 1
18 NOV
Apex Summit — Day 2
Summit schedule
Select a day, search by session name or narrow the schedule by summit pillar.
10-16
November 2026
Pre-Summit Activities
Focused activities in Freetown. Attendance is by separate registration or invitation.
FreetownTime
Session
Room / Stage
10–16 NOV
Expert and Ministerial Meetings
Invitation onlyInvitation only
10–16 NOV
Sustainable Energy Forum
10–16 NOV
Youth Forum
Invitation onlyInvitation only
10–16 NOV
Transaction Day
Pre-registration requiredIn Pre-registrationparallel
16
November 2026
Apex Pre-Summit Sessions
Open to registered Summit speakers and participants.
JMBICC Convention Centre, LungiTime
Session
09:00-17:00
Transaction Day
09:30–12:30
Youth Innovation Sprints Track
14:00–17:00
Women in Business: Leading Africa's Growth
14:00–17:00
Pre-Summit Policy Roundtables
Energy · Strategic Minerals · Agribusiness · Digital Transformation17
November 2026
From Potential to Production
Four pillar themes run through the day: Power to Grow (energy) · Minerals to Industry · Food at Scale (agribusiness) · Connect to Compete (digital).
Time
Session
Room / Stage
09:30–10:30
Power to Grow
Financing clean power and regional renewable projectsIn parallel
09:30–10:30
Connect to Compete
Digital infrastructure investment for cross-border tradeIn parallel
09:30–10:30
Investor Meetings and Bilaterals
In parallel
10:30–11:30
Nuclear: the Missing Piece?
In parallel
10:30–11:30
Food at Scale
Financing the move from subsistence to commercial agribusinessIn parallel
11:00–12:30
Special Discussion: Regional Clean Cooking Initiative
In parallel
11:15–11:45
Coffee break
11:30–12:30
OPEC Fund 50th Anniversary DFI Roundtable
Can Capital Move at Regional Scale?In parallel
11:30–12:30
Minerals to Industry
Beneficiation and infrastructure for mineral processingIn parallel
11:30–12:30
Investor Meetings and Bilaterals
In parallel
12:30–14:00
OPEC/ACG Special Lunch & Networking
14:15–14:45
Official Opening Ceremony and institutional speeches
Main Plenary
14:45–16:15
ECOWAS Leaders' Roundtable
"What Must Leaders Unlock Now?" - Heads of State and business leaders on the four pillars, with youth inputMain Plenary
16:15–16:40
Leading at Scale: Africa's Women CEOs
Main Plenary
16:40–17:00
Backing the Rice Offensive
Main Plenary
17:00–18:00
Project Announcements
Main Plenary
18:00
Close of Day 1; delegate transport to official hotels
19:00–21:45
Gala Dinner
Invitation onlyInvitation only
18
November 2026
From Commitments to Capital
Each pillar roundtable is co-chaired by a Head of State and business leader, moving from private-sector discussion to reflections.
Time
Session
Room / Stage
09:00-12:00
Country Deal Rooms
In parallel
09:00–10:15
Power to Grow Roundtable
Generation and cross-border transmission projects nearing constructionIn parallel
09:00–10:15
Minerals to Industry Roundtable
Processing and beneficiation projects ready to signIn parallel
10:15–11:30
Food at Scale Roundtable
Closing the finance gap along the agribusiness value chainIn parallel
10:15–11:30
Connect to Compete Roundtable
Connectivity, payments and data-infrastructure deals ready for financingIn parallel
10:15–11:30
Concluding Negotiations
Deal Room & BilateralsIn parallel
11:30–12:00
Coffee break and room set-up for closing sessions
12:15–12:30
Closing institutional speeches
Main Plenary
12:30–13:15
Commitment Session: What Comes Next?
Readouts from pillar discussions and headline project announcementsMain Plenary