The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has announced Nigeria’s readiness to host the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) 2025, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to the Foreign Affairs minister, the summit will occur from June 20 to 21, 2025, at the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC).
At a media parley today, Amb. Tuggar said this important regional gathering, themed “West Africa Economic Summit: Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region,” is designed to serve as a strategic platform for shaping the economic future of our sub-region.
During an interactive session with Journalists, the foreign Affairs minister revealed that Nigeria is the first country in Africa region to host West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) 2025 which is the originality of the African economic summit to bring together regional leaders, continental institutions, development partners, private investors, and civil society actors to converge in Abuja for what will be a landmark moment in West Africa’s economic evolution.
"WAES 2025 will convene Heads of State, Ministers, private sector leaders, development partners, and youth innovators from across West Africa and beyond. As a government, we recognise that sustainable development, peace, and prosperity in West Africa are best achieved through enhanced regional cooperation and economic integration.
"Economic integration requires the active partnership of the private sector and cannot be exclusively state-centric. WAES 2025 reflects this conviction," he said
The Foreign Affairs Minister, while unveiling the strategic Objectives of WAES 2025 noted that it is a solutions-oriented initiative that seeks to establish a harmonised trade policy framework to eliminate barriers to intra-African commerce and investment.
"Mobilise resources for critical infrastructure, energy, and logistics to improve the free movement of goods and people, Promote inclusive economic growth, with particular attention to empowering women, youth, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs); and Enhance West Africa’s economic resilience through innovation, institutional reforms, and strategic global partnerships.
He highlighted the Summit with some key components like the Presidential Roundtable and CEO Forum, a high-level dialogue between Heads of State and business leaders, culminating in a Joint Communiqué that articulates shared regional priorities and a concrete plan of action.
"The WAES Deal Room: A platform for Business-to-Government (B2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions aimed at securing landmark investment deals across strategic sectors, including infrastructure, agribusiness, renewable energy, and digital finance.
"West Africa Business Expo: An exhibition of over 100 investment-ready SMEs and regional development projects, fostering cross-border business linkages and reinforcing the role of the private sector in advancing the AfCFTA.
"Youth and Cultural Empowerment Series, Featuring events such as the West Africa Art Exhibition, Innovation Pitch, and Youth Leadership Panels, will showcase the region’s rich creative energy and the ingenuity of our youth.
WAES 2025 is a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS vision of a borderless, peaceful, and economically integrated West Africa. It aligns seamlessly with continental objectives under Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The summit, according to the Foreign Affairs Minister, will address the facilitation of cross-border trade and logistics, the advancement of regional macroeconomic stability and value chains, and the reinforcement of institutional cooperation, peace, and governance.
He urged citizens to support the landmark moment, stressing that through WAES 2025, we take deliberate steps toward a prosperous, united, and globally competitive West Africa.