By: Saidu Jalloh
President Julius Maada Bio will host the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Sierra Leone on July 19, 2026, according to the Office of the Press Secretary.
A State House press release issued on Tuesday stated that President Bio, who currently serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, will preside over the regional summit at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
Ahead of the summit, Sierra Leone will host a series of statutory ECOWAS meetings in Freetown, bringing together ministers, senior regional officials, delegates, and guests from across West Africa.
According to the statement, the 39th Meeting of the Administration and Finance Committee will take place from July 12 to 14 at the Bintumani New Hall. This will be followed on July 15 by the 56th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the ministerial level, as well as the Joint MSC/Council Meeting on the Compact of the Future.
The 96th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers is scheduled to be held from July 16 to 17, also at the Bintumani New Hall.
State House further announced that President Bio will commission the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot on July 18, one day before the summit. According to the government, the conference centre is expected to strengthen Sierra Leone’s capacity to host major international conferences, while the logistics depot will enhance ECOWAS’ operational and institutional capabilities.
The Office of the Press Secretary said the series of events underscores President Bio’s leadership within ECOWAS and reflects Sierra Leone’s growing role in promoting regional integration, peace, security, and sustainable development across West Africa.
The hosting of the summit is expected to place Sierra Leone at the centre of regional diplomacy as West African leaders deliberate on key issues affecting the sub-region, including security, economic cooperation, democratic governance, and regional integration.