President Julius Maada Bio visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos on Wednesday, accompanied by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote. The visit aimed to encourage private-sector investment ahead of the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS).
The summit will take place at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, Freetown, from 17 to 18 November 2026. It is being organised under the auspices of ECOWAS, marking its 50th anniversary, with the theme “Powering Regional Integration through Energy Trade, Strategic Minerals, Agribusiness and Digital Transformation.”
Discussions will revolve around four key areas: regional energy trade and sustainable infrastructure; the development of critical minerals and natural resources; scaling agribusiness for food security in West Africa; and enhancing digital transformation and cross-border connectivity.
The Dangote refinery, operated by Aliko Dangote’s Dangote Group, is a prime example of private-sector investment in the region. Operational since early 2024, it is the world’s largest single-train oil refinery and has transformed Nigeria’s energy sector from being a fuel importer to a self-sufficient producer and emerging exporter.
President Bio’s visit highlights the summit’s goal of linking major industrial initiatives with regional investment opportunities and fostering cross-border partnerships to support West Africa’s economic integration.
