Strategic Partnership for Regional Growth: WATPECO Engages National Investment Board to Enhance Tourism in West Africa
Freetown, Sierra Leone – 12 February 2025
On 12 February 2025, the West Africa Tourism Peace and Economic Integration Organization (WATPECO) held a strategic partnership meeting with the National Investment Board (NIB) of Sierra Leone to explore collaborative opportunities in advancing tourism as a driver for peacebuilding, economic growth, and regional integration across West Africa.
This high-level engagement brought together key representatives from both institutions, highlighting a shared commitment to mobilizing investment, strengthening public-private partnerships, and accelerating sustainable development in the tourism sector.
Meeting Participants
National Investment Board (NIB)
Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy – Executive Director
Mahawa Sandi – Deputy Executive Director
Sheku Lansana Koroma
WATPECO
Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt – Volunteer CEO
David Tucker Jr. – Project Coordinator
Mr. Michael Kanu – Finance Officer
Sahr Amadu Komba – Intern and Media Representative
Opening Statement by Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy
Dr. Sandy welcomed the WATPECO delegation and commended Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt for her distinguished service and dedication to the tourism sector. He emphasized the vital role of tourism in driving inclusive growth and enhancing regional cooperation, while reaffirming NIB’s readiness to foster strategic partnerships that support investment facilitation and policy development.
Presentation by Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt
Hon. Dr. Pratt presented WATPECO’s vision and strategic objectives, emphasizing its foundation in academic research and practical experience in peacebuilding and tourism. She underscored the following key points:
1. WATPECO was conceptualized from years of academic and policy engagement on peace, gender, and development.
2. Her ministerial experience revealed the critical need for credible and capable non-governmental and private sector partnerships in tourism.
3. The absence of an integrated regional platform has hindered tourism-led development.
4. Tourism is a transformative sector that requires strategic investment and collaboration to thrive.
5. There is an urgent need for a dedicated implementing partner to facilitate cross-border tourism initiatives and investment flows.
Dr. Pratt further emphasized the private sector’s essential role in advancing infrastructure development, ecotourism, and cultural preservation—key pillars for achieving sustainable economic growth and regional competitiveness.
Strategic Dialogue and Proposed Action Plan
To facilitate the proposed collaboration, Dr. Sandy recommended the formation of a joint technical committee tasked with:
Identifying priority areas of collaboration aligned with both organizations’ mandates;
Drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the partnership framework;
Exploring investment opportunities in infrastructure, ecotourism, and cultural heritage;
Addressing policy, regulatory, and financial constraints that deter private investment.
Dr. Sandy expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to attract high-quality investment and promote a favorable business environment for tourism development in the region.
Key Resolutions
The meeting concluded with the following resolutions:
1. Establish a technical working group to coordinate the development of the MoU and guide implementation.
2. Enhance collaboration between NIB, WATPECO, and key stakeholders across government, the private sector, and international partners.
3. Promote tourism as a strategic sector for economic empowerment, job creation, and regional integration.
4. Convene periodic follow-up engagements to monitor progress and adjust priorities as necessary.
Conclusion
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to advancing the partnership and unlocking the tourism potential of West Africa. Both Dr. Sandy and Hon. Dr. Pratt expressed appreciation to all attendees for their dedication and reaffirmed their organizations’ joint vision of leveraging tourism for peace, prosperity, and regional cohesion.
This partnership represents a significant milestone in regional tourism development, paving the way for transformative investment, inclusive growth, and long-term stability across West Africa.
