By Alusine Sesay
Freetown, July 11, 2026: Sierra Leone on Sunday, July 12, welcomed delegates to the 39th Meeting of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Aberdeen, Freetown. The meeting, scheduled to run until July 14, marks the official start of the ECOWAS Mid-Year Statutory Meetings, which are being hosted in Sierra Leone for the first time.
The AFC session brings together committee members, heads of ECOWAS institutions, and senior officials to review key administrative and financial matters affecting the regional body. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening governance systems, improving institutional coordination, and ensuring efficient management of ECOWAS resources as the organisation advances its integration agenda into 2026.
The 38th session of the AFC was held earlier at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, where members deliberated on budgetary and institutional issues. The Freetown meeting builds on those discussions and sets the stage for broader deliberations during the week.
Hosting the statutory meetings is a significant milestone for Sierra Leone, underscoring its growing role within ECOWAS. The country has invested heavily in preparations, with Aberdeen serving as the hub for the gatherings. The meetings precede the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which President Julius Maada Bio will host on July 19 at the newly commissioned Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
Officials say the series of meetings will not only shape ECOWAS’s financial and administrative direction but also highlight Sierra Leone’s capacity to host major regional events. The government has described the summit as a defining moment, showcasing the country’s resilience, progress, and leadership in regional cooperation.