Statement by Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs
On Nigeria’s Hosting of the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) 2025.
It is with a deep sense of honour and responsibility that I announce Nigeria’s readiness to host the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) 2025, under the distinguished leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The Summit will take place from June 20 to 21, 2025, at the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC).
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. 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. WAES 2025 reflects this conviction.
Strategic Objectives
WAES 2025 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);
• Enhance West Africa’s economic resilience through innovation, institutional reforms, and strategic global partnerships.
Summit Highlights
The summit will feature the following key components:
• 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.