SIERRA LEONE RISING: Unlocking a $40 Trillion Frontier at AACIS’26
As Sierra Leone’s economy maintains a steady upward trajectory with a projected growth rate of 4.8 percent in 2026, attention is turning to new frontiers beyond West Africa. The upcoming Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS’26) is being positioned as a strategic gateway for Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs, policymakers, and creatives seeking to tap into a combined $40 trillion market across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
Organised by Aquarian Consult, AACIS’26 is scheduled to take place from March 23–28, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria. The summit is expected to convene investors, government officials, development finance institutions, and private sector leaders to explore cross-border investment opportunities and deepen South-South cooperation.
Sierra Leone’s national development priorities—particularly in food security, human capital development, and the creative economy—align closely with the thematic pillars of AACIS’26. Stakeholders say this alignment presents a timely opportunity for the country to position itself as a viable trade and investment partner within the Afri-Caribbean corridor.
With agriculture contributing over 50 percent of Sierra Leone’s GDP, the sector is expected to feature prominently. Caribbean nations reportedly import more than 80 percent of their food, creating potential export opportunities for Sierra Leonean producers of cocoa, palm oil, and organic tubers. The summit will also provide avenues for technology transfer in climate-smart agriculture and aquaculture to enhance productivity.
Sierra Leone’s rich Krio heritage and cultural assets are seen as potential drivers of soft power diplomacy. Designers and textile producers are expected to showcase traditional “Country Cloth” and Gara fabrics to Caribbean markets. In the music and film sectors, participants will explore distribution partnerships and joint production deals aimed at expanding global reach.
The Afri-Caribbean Health Summit segment will focus on healthcare investment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and cross-border health policy collaboration. Sierra Leonean stakeholders are being encouraged to present investment-ready projects in healthcare infrastructure and research.
As a coastal nation, Sierra Leone may also benefit from partnerships in sustainable fisheries, cold storage infrastructure, seafood processing, and maritime trade. Previous summits have reportedly facilitated multimillion-dollar port and logistics deals, highlighting opportunities for collaboration.
AACIS’26 will feature an Investor Deal Room for project presentations to private equity firms and pension fund managers, alongside structured B2B and B2G matchmaking sessions. A fellowship programme focused on youth mentorship and policy immersion in Afri-Caribbean relations is also expected to be launched.
According to Aisha Maina, Managing Director of Aquarian Consult, the summit reflects a broader shift in Africa’s global engagement.
“Sierra Leone is no longer just a destination for aid; we are a destination for trade. AACIS’26 is the bridge we’ve been waiting for to connect local talent with global capital,” she said.
Sierra Leonean businesses, policymakers, and creatives are encouraged to join the national delegation to Abuja and position themselves within what organisers describe as one of the world’s most dynamic emerging trade corridors.
Date: March 23–28, 2026
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Registration: www.aquarianconsult.com/AACIS
Contact: +2348099666613 (Calls & WhatsApp)
About Aquarian Consult
Headquartered in Abuja, Aquarian Consult is a strategic advisory and facilitation firm focused on strengthening economic ties between Africa and global markets. Through its flagship AACIS platform, the firm works with governments, development finance institutions, and private sector actors to structure cross-border investment partnerships across sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, renewable energy, financial services, and the creative economy.
As Sierra Leone seeks to diversify its economy and expand its global footprint, AACIS’26 presents a platform for turning ambition into tangible trade and investment outcomes.
