Freetown: The ECOWAS Commissioner for Macroeconomics, Dr. Kalilou Sylla, paid a courtesy call on Sierra Leone's Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, at the George Street office in Freetown. Dr. Sylla visited the country in preparation for the ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit.

According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Minister Bangura warmly welcomed the commissioner and his delegation, expressing appreciation that Dr. Sylla took the time out of his busy schedule to visit. Dr. Sylla, in turn, thanked the Minister for his hospitality and commended the government and the people of Sierra Leone for hosting the 2026 Mid-Year Summit. He remarked on the importance of meeting with the Minister of Finance during his visit.

The discussions between Dr. Sylla and Minister Bangura addressed several key issues, including economic development, regional stability, critical infrastructure, digital payment systems, and trade integration across West Africa. They reviewed outcomes from the 13th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Convergence Council, held earlier this year in Monrovia, Liberia, focusing on macroeconomic convergence and the implementation of the ECOWAS Single Currency (ECO) Roadmap.

Minister Bangura is expected to present a report at the 67th Meeting of the Committee of Governors of Central Banks of ECOWAS Member States, along with recommendations for the Council of Heads of State and Government during the Mid-Year Summit.

The meeting was attended by several notable figures, including Deputy Minister of Finance II Madam Jenneh Jabati, Bank Governor Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie, Chief Economist Alimamy Bangura, ECOWAS Director of Macroeconomic Stability and Multilateral Surveillance Iliysu Bobbo, and Technical Adviser to the Minister of Finance Franklyn Bendu.