The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the presidency under the distinguished leadership of his President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to host the first West African Economic Summit in Abuja the Nigeria’s capital.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar who disclosed this to newsmen in a press conference, noted that the summit will take place from the 20th to the 21st of June 2025, at the Abuja International Conference Centre.
He said the aim of the 2025 West African Economic Summit with the theme unlocking trade and investment opportunities in the region, is designed to serve as a strategic platform for shaping the economic future of our region.
“The West Africa Economic Summit 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,” he said.
The Minister stressed that Economic integration requires the active partnership of the private sector and cannot be exclusively state-centric hence the focus of West African Economic Summit 2025.
“The strategic objectives of the summit will include the following, 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.
“Enhance West Africa’s economic resilience through innovation, institutional reforms and strategic global partnerships.”
Ambassador Tuggar also noted that high-level dialogue between heads of state and business leaders, culminating in a joint communique that articulates shared regional priorities and a concrete plan of action will be conducted to climax the activities of the Summit.
Lateefah Ibrahim