Nigeria ready to host West Africa Economic Summit — Foreign Minister

Nigeria is set to host the maiden West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) on June 20 and 21, 2025, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. The country’s readiness was confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, during a media parley on Monday.

The minister described the summit as “an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at strengthening economic ties, unlocking investment opportunities, and promoting sustainable development across West Africa.”

Tuggar stressed that the summit goes beyond just the ECOWAS bloc. “We’re not just talking about ECOWAS and ECOWAS states,” he said, “but indeed to all states, businesses, private sector, development finance institutions that pertain to the West African region.”

He described the event as a platform to deepen regional collaboration. “What we’re talking about is regional integration. What we’re doing with each other. How do we strengthen that so that we’re trading more,” he stated.

Highlighting the structure of the summit, Tuggar said, “The event will feature a range of activities, including a deal room, business conferences, and cultural events showcasing the region’s rich heritage.”

According to him, “The event aims to unlock investment opportunities by identifying and supporting investment-ready projects. Furthermore, the summit seeks to foster sustainable development by encouraging inclusive economic growth and development.”

The minister also emphasized that the private sector will play a central role in the summit’s agenda. “It is the private sector that will drive the initiative while the governments provide all the necessary support for them to excel,” he said.

Touching on security, Tuggar said peace was essential for economic growth in the region. “For business to take place, to thrive, the environment must be secure,” he noted, stressing the importance of collective regional efforts in tackling insecurity.

Tuggar also clarified the unique identity of the summit, distancing it from international models. “The summit is not modelled after the World Economic Forum in Davos, but rather a novel, homegrown African original idea,” he explained. “We’re focusing this administration on preferring homegrown solutions to our problem, instead of copying and pasting what exists in other regions.”

He further revealed that the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have been invited to participate in the summit, reinforcing the commitment to inclusive regional engagement.

“The West Africa Economic Summit promises to be a landmark event,” Tuggar concluded, “driving regional integration, promoting economic cooperation, and fostering sustainable development in West Africa.”