FREETOWN, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, special envoy for the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) 2026, has held a courtesy and working meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Zhao Yong as preparations intensify for the regional investment summit.
The meeting, held at the Chinese Embassy in Freetown on Wednesday, provided an opportunity for Yumkella to brief Zhao on the summit's investment focus and opportunities for greater participation by Chinese private sector companies.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and attracting Chinese investment into priority sectors, with WAIIS 2026 seeking to promote regional integration, industrialization and sustainable development across West Africa.
Patrick Kormawa, chief technical adviser to the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), expressed appreciation to China for supporting professional training and capacity development for selected PI-CREF staff.
Zhao expressed support for WAIIS 2026 and pledged the embassy's cooperation toward its successful organization.
Zhao highlighted the longstanding bilateral ties between China and Sierra Leone and said he was willing to explore opportunities for Chinese companies to participate in the summit.
The ambassador also reaffirmed the embassy's continued cooperation with PI-CREF, particularly in staff capacity development and professional training.
WAIIS 2026 is expected to be held on Nov. 17 and 18, bringing together governments, investors, development partners and private sector leaders to advance investment opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation across West Africa. ■
