The KRIF Foundation has held a high-level engagement with President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as part of ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 Pan-African Regal Influence Summit (PARIS) and brief on the just ended 2026 edition.
The delegation was led by Rev. Kennedy Okosun, founder and convener of the Pan-African Regal Influence Summit and Executive Chairman of KRIF Ghana Ltd. The meeting focused on presenting the vision and objectives of the summit, which aims to convene influential leaders from governance, business, diplomacy, faith, and civil society to advance strategic dialogue on Africa’s development priorities.
President Bio welcomed the initiative and expressed ECOWAS’ strong interest, describing the summit as timely and relevant to Africa’s evolving leadership and governance landscape. He emphasized the importance of allowing credible private-sector and non-state initiatives to play a leading role in driving regional transformation.
“As Chairman of ECOWAS, I have informed member states that it is time we allow private initiatives like the Pan-African Regal Influence Summit to lead the way if the association is to achieve meaningful transformation,” President Bio stated.
The Sierra Leonean leader, a retired brigadier general, commended the organizers for their vision and commitment, noting that the summit aligns closely with his continental outlook and priorities as ECOWAS Chairman.
He further stressed that more than five decades after independence, Africa must take full ownership of its challenges by promoting African-led ideas, policies, and partnerships rather than relying excessively on external interventions.
Organizers described the engagement as a significant milestone for the Pan-African Regal Influence Summit, reinforcing its growing recognition as a credible platform for shaping Africa’s future. They added that sustained collaboration with regional institutions and governments will be essential to translating dialogue into measurable action.
The next edition of the Pan-African Regal Influence Summit scheduled to take place in Free Town, Sierra Leone, is expected to bring together leaders from across Africa and the diaspora to advance practical, sustainable solutions and strengthen the continent’s journey toward resilience, innovation, and self-determined development.
