By: Joseph Momoh, Reporter D.S
Abuja, Nigeria, Saturday, June 21, 2025 — President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has urged West African leaders to accelerate regional integration and strategic investment to foster inclusive economic growth. His remarks came during a Presidential Goodwill Message at the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) held in Abuja.
Commending Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for hosting the summit, President Bio praised the organizers for uniting regional leaders and stakeholders to tackle shared challenges and pave the way for prosperity in West Africa.
In his address, President Bio highlighted the region’s abundant natural resources and youthful demographic as key assets that could drive shared prosperity, provided they are harnessed through effective integration amid rising debt, climate vulnerability, food insecurity, and global uncertainties.
“As leaders facing global economic competition, we must take decisive actions to accelerate regional integration programs vital for economic growth and shared prosperity,” President Bio stated.
He detailed Sierra Leone’s commitment to aligning with crucial ECOWAS and AfCFTA protocols, including the registration of products under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), the modernization of customs infrastructure through the ASYCUDA WORLD system, and the rollout of ECOWAS biometric ID cards to enhance regional mobility.
The President called for the establishment of a monetary union, a common regional currency, and increased investment in infrastructure, energy, and digital connectivity to lower costs and facilitate the movement of people and goods. He also emphasized the need to empower youth through skills development and entrepreneurial support, referring to them as “the heartbeat of our continent.”
On financing, President Bio advocated for innovative models to support significant regional projects, such as the West African Power Pool, and urged the harmonization of capital markets, fiscal regimes, and quality standards to strengthen economic convergence.
Reiterating Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional prosperity, President Bio invited private sector actors, development partners, and African governments to invest in agriculture, energy, mining, tourism, and the digital economy, pledging Sierra Leone’s readiness to collaborate for a more integrated and prosperous West Africa.
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