Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, inspected the newly completed President Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi on Sunday, 12 July 2026, ahead of its official commissioning on 18 July 2026. Dr. Jalloh stated, "The President Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre is more than just a physical structure... It represents Sierra Leone’s ambition to strengthen its position in regional diplomacy and expand its capacity to host major international events." He added that the facility would create new opportunities for the country’s tourism, hospitality, and business sectors, enhancing Sierra Leone’s profile for global conferences. The Vice President expressed confidence the centre would be a lasting national asset, promoting regional cooperation and supporting the nation's economic and diplomatic aspirations.
Facility Tour and Readiness
The inspection focused on evaluating the operational readiness of the modern conference complex in Lungi ahead of the arrival of regional leaders and delegates for the upcoming ECOWAS Summit. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh toured the Centre’s key facilities, which included the main plenary hall, media centre, bilateral meeting rooms, VVIP lounges, and exhibition spaces, alongside other supporting infrastructure. He noted that the facility would create new opportunities for the country’s tourism, hospitality, and business sectors while enhancing Sierra Leone’s profile as a destination for global conferences and high-level engagements. The Vice President expressed confidence that the conference centre would serve as a lasting national asset, promoting regional cooperation and supporting Sierra Leone’s long-term economic and diplomatic aspirations.
Summit Preparations and Significance
Preparations are intensifying for the 69th ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State and Government, which is scheduled to convene on 19 July 2026. The newly completed President Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi is expected to play a central role in hosting this significant regional gathering. Its facilities, including the main plenary hall, media centre, bilateral meeting rooms, VVIP lounges, and exhibition spaces, are designed to accommodate high-level diplomatic events. The centre's readiness ensures it will be utilized for the upcoming ECOWAS Summit, providing a dedicated venue for the deliberations of regional leaders and delegates. Beyond this immediate event, the facility is also anticipated to serve as a key location for future international conferences, reinforcing Sierra Leone's capacity for global engagements.
Vice President's Vision
The Vice President was accompanied by senior Government officials during the inspection tour of the President Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre. This visit aimed to assess the facility's preparedness ahead of the 69th ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for 19 July 2026. The Centre, located in Lungi, is poised to host the gathering, with its main plenary hall, media centre, bilateral meeting rooms, VVIP lounges, and exhibition spaces designed to accommodate high-level diplomatic events. The inspection ensured that all facilities were operational and ready for the influx of regional leaders and delegates. The Vice President’s presence, alongside other officials, showed the government's commitment to showcasing Sierra Leone's enhanced capacity for hosting significant international conferences and promoting regional cooperation. The facility's readiness is expected to bolster the country's profile for future global engagements.
