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Nigerian billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote is among a lineup of business and political leaders confirmed to speak at the inaugural West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS 2026), organisers announced on Friday.

The summit, scheduled for 16–18 November at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, Sierra Leone, is expected to bring together about 1,000 government officials, investors, corporate executives and development finance institutions from across Africa and beyond.

Organisers said Dangote, founder and chief executive of the Dangote Group, will join a roster of leading business figures that includes BUA Group founder Abdul Samad Rabiu, Heirs Holdings chairman Tony Elumelu, Oando Group Chief Executive Wale Tinubu and Africa Finance Corporation President Samaila Zubairu.

The summit will also feature prominent figures from multilateral and development institutions, including African Export-Import Bank President George Elombi, Africa50 Chief Executive Alain Ebobissé, OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa and Sustainable Energy for All Chief Executive Damilola Ogunbiyi.

On the political side, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, who is convening the summit under an ECOWAS mandate, is expected to be joined by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Kenyan President William Ruto, Togolese leader Faure Gnassingbé and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

The organisers described the event as an investment-focused platform aimed at moving regional projects from policy discussions to financing and implementation. Discussions will centre on four themes: energy and green industrialisation, strategic minerals, agribusiness and food systems, and digital transformation and connectivity.

According to the organisers, participation in the summit remains open, while access to dedicated deal-making sessions will be by application and invitation only.

Further speakers are expected to be announced ahead of the November gathering.