Nigeria has declared its readiness to host the 2025 edition of the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), a major regional gathering aimed at strengthening economic ties, unlocking investment opportunities, and promoting sustainable development across West Africa.
The summit will take place from June 20 to 21, 2025, at the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
The announcement was made by Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who described the event as a landmark initiative that will bring together a wide range of stakeholders including Heads of State, government ministers, private sector leaders, development institutions, and young innovators from across the region and beyond.
This year’s summit, themed “West Africa Economic Summit: Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region,” is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue and action aimed at reshaping the region’s economic future.
Tuggar stressed that Nigeria sees the summit as an opportunity to reinforce the ideals of regional cooperation and economic integration, noting that peace and prosperity in West Africa can only be sustained through collective efforts.
“WAES 2025 will pursue key goals such as the establishment of a harmonised trade policy to eliminate existing barriers to intra-African commerce and investment.
“It will also focus on mobilising resources for critical infrastructure, energy, and logistics in order to improve the free movement of goods and people across borders.
“Another major thrust of the summit is the promotion of inclusive economic growth, with a strong emphasis on empowering women, youth, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
‘Furthermore, it will address the region’s economic resilience by encouraging innovation, institutional reforms, and global partnerships that are strategic and mutually beneficial’, Tuggar noted.
He mentioned that a variety of events will form the backbone of the summit, adding that one of the key highlights will be the Presidential Roundtable and CEO Forum, where West African leaders will engage directly with business executives in closed-door sessions.
“These discussions are expected to culminate in a joint communiqué outlining shared priorities and actionable strategies for regional development.
“Another focal point is the WAES Deal Room, a matchmaking platform designed to facilitate direct investment transactions between governments and businesses, as well as between private-sector entities.
“This segment will target investment in critical areas such as agribusiness, renewable energy, digital finance, and infrastructure”, he stated.
According to the Minister, the summit will also feature the West Africa Business Expo, which will showcase more than 100 investment-ready SMEs and regional development initiatives.
“The expo aims to foster cross-border partnerships and highlight the growing importance of the private sector in advancing the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“In addition to the economic agenda, WAES 2025 will spotlight cultural and youth-driven innovation through a series of empowerment events.
“These include the West Africa Art Exhibition, an Innovation Pitch competition, and Youth Leadership Panels, all designed to celebrate the region’s creativity and the dynamism of its younger population”, he mentioned.
Tuggar underscored Nigeria’s commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) vision of a united, peaceful, and economically integrated West Africa.
He noted that the summit aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the operational goals of AfCFTA.
“Central to the summit discussions will be issues surrounding trade facilitation, regional value chain development, and institutional cooperation to ensure peace and good governance”, he added.
The Minister extended a warm invitation to African leaders, international development agencies, private investors, and civil society organisations to gather in Abuja for what he described as a defining moment in the region’s journey toward economic transformation.
“Together, through WAES 2025, we take deliberate steps toward a prosperous, united, and globally competitive West Africa,” he said.
