Planning Minister Says Conference Infrastructure, Tourism and Regional Partnerships Will Strengthen Sierra Leone’s Economy
By Marian Magdalene Bangura
Strategic Communication Unit
Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE)
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, has assured Sierra Leoneans that Government’s investments in preparations for the forthcoming ECOWAS Summit should be viewed as long-term national assets rather than short-term expenditures, emphasizing that the benefits will extend well beyond the regional gathering.
Speaking at the Special Edition Government Press Conference hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, on Tuesday, 7th July 2026, at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, Minister Barlay responded to questions surrounding the cost of hosting the summit and the anticipated economic returns.
She addressed comparisons made between the upcoming ECOWAS Summit and the historic Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Summit previously hosted by Sierra Leone, cautioning against attributing the country’s past economic difficulties solely to that event.
“Many people have compared this summit with the OAU Summit that Sierra Leone hosted in the past. However, many international factors contributed to the country’s economic challenges at that time. It would therefore be inaccurate to attribute those difficulties solely to the OAU Summit simply because they occurred around the same period,” she explained.
The Minister acknowledged that substantial resources were invested during the OAU Summit and noted that some expenditures at the time may have been excessive. However, she stressed that the current ECOWAS Summit preparations have been strategically designed to leave behind infrastructure that will continue to benefit the country for decades.
According to her, the largest investments are directed toward the construction of the Conference Centre, the Presidential Villas, and the renovation and upgrading of hotels.
“These should not be viewed merely as expenses; they are long-term national investments,” she stated.
Minister Barlay explained that once completed, these facilities will position Sierra Leone as a competitive destination for international conferences and high-level meetings, creating opportunities for sustained economic growth through conference tourism.
She noted that conference tourism has become an important pillar of many national economies, generating employment, stimulating local businesses, increasing hotel occupancy, and attracting investment.
“Just as some countries have built successful economies around medical tourism, others have developed thriving conference and convention industries. Sierra Leone now has an opportunity to benefit from this growing global sector,” she said.
On concerns about government spending, the Minister highlighted measures taken to ensure prudent financial management throughout the summit preparations.
She explained that Government deliberately adopted cost-saving strategies, particularly regarding transportation for visiting delegations. Rather than hiring vehicles for every visiting minister at significant expense, arrangements were made to minimise costs. She further clarified that many of the new vehicles acquired for the summit are intended primarily for transporting Heads of State and Government, and were provided through the cooperation of the People’s Republic of China.
Minister Barlay also disclosed that ECOWAS is sharing part of the financial responsibility for hosting the summit, reducing the burden on Government, while supporting investments that would have been necessary regardless of the event.
She said initiatives such as beautification of public spaces, improved sanitation, enhanced hospitality services, and infrastructure upgrades are national development priorities that will continue to benefit citizens long after the summit concludes.
Responding to a question relating to the “Bormeh” dumpsites, Minister Barlay used the opportunity to illustrate the practical benefits of Sierra Leone’s partnership with ECOWAS.
She cited the former Waterloo dumpsite, explaining that Government had already secured land, with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, for the construction of a modern market. Through additional engagement with ECOWAS, support was secured to clear the dumpsite and facilitate the market’s construction.
According to the Minister, the project transformed an unsanitary waste disposal area into a productive commercial space, creating a cleaner environment while improving economic opportunities for traders and surrounding communities.
She described the Waterloo project as a clear example of how Sierra Leone’s collaboration with ECOWAS delivers tangible development outcomes for ordinary citizens.
Looking ahead, Minister Barlay revealed that Sierra Leone is also expected to benefit from ECOWAS’ Economic Stabilisation Fund, valued at more than US$20 million.
She explained that the country’s active participation in ECOWAS programmes and its leadership within the regional bloc place it in a favourable position to qualify for support under the facility. While noting that the final allocation and utilisation of the funds will be determined through Cabinet deliberations, she expressed confidence that the financing would further strengthen national development efforts.
Concluding her remarks, Minister Barlay reaffirmed Government’s commitment to responsible economic planning and strategic investment, emphasizing that preparations for the ECOWAS Summit represent an investment in Sierra Leone’s future competitiveness, regional leadership, and long-term economic transformation.
The Special Edition Government Press Conference forms part of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s ongoing efforts to keep citizens informed on key national issues and provide an open platform for Government ministers to address public concerns through factual, transparent, and accountable communication.
