Africa’s next chapter will be built through the decisions its leaders take today: the infrastructure they prioritise, the investment they unlock and the terms on which they partner. As the first voice of Unstoppable Africa 2026, H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, opens our discussions on trade with a presidential perspective on getting that work done. Drawing on his country’s progress and the next phase of its development agenda, he will explore how governments can build investor confidence, negotiate effective partnerships and connect infrastructure investment to jobs, enterprise and access to markets. From the practical lessons of delivering major projects to the frameworks shaping new investment, this fireside will set an ambitious, concrete agenda for the conversations ahead: building economies that trade more, produce more and retain more value.

Moderator: Ms. Folly Bah Thibault, Senior News Anchor, Al Jazeera Media Network