Nigeria is set to host the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) 2025, a major regional gathering that aims to chart a transformative course for the sub-region’s economic development.
Scheduled to take place from June 20 to 21, 2025, at the Abuja International Conference Centre, the summit will draw regional leaders, policymakers, and top business executives to deliberate on strategies to address pressing economic challenges and unlock new opportunities across West Africa.
Speaking at a media conference in Abuja on Monday, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the summit as a pivotal moment in West Africa’s journey toward deeper economic cooperation and integration.
He highlighted the summit’s key objectives, which include the creation of a harmonised trade policy framework, the mobilisation of financial resources for critical infrastructure, and the promotion of inclusive economic growth across member states.
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Tuggar outlined a series of high-level engagements and side events that will feature during the two-day summit, such as a Presidential Roundtable, a Chief Executive Officers’ Forum, the WAES Deal Room, and the West Africa Business Expo.
These events, he noted, are designed to foster meaningful dialogue and drive actionable outcomes that will benefit both public and private sector players in the region.
Describing WAES 2025 as a strategic milestone in the push for regional integration, Tuggar emphasised that the summit aligns with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) vision of a borderless, economically unified West Africa.
He said the event would serve as a dynamic platform for both business-to-government and business-to-business transactions, creating fertile ground for investment, innovation, and economic partnerships.
The Minister further noted that the summit would spotlight the creative energy of West African youth and the potential of the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which are investment-ready and primed for growth.
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“With WAES 2025, Nigeria is stepping forward to take a leadership role in shaping the region’s economic trajectory.
“We are demonstrating our strong commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable development, and we are confident that this summit will be a turning point for West Africa’s economic future.”
The event, he said, is expected to attract a diverse array of participants, including heads of government, development partners, international investors, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, and policy experts, all working toward a shared vision of a prosperous and integrated West Africa.
