Nigeria to Host West Africa Economic Summit in June 2025
Abuja, June 3, 2025 – Nigeria is set to host the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) from June 20 to 21, 2025, at the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC). The announcement was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to convene this landmark regional event aimed at unlocking trade and investment opportunities across West Africa.
The summit, themed “West Africa Economic Summit: Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region,” will bring together Heads of State, Ministers, private sector leaders, development partners, and youth innovators from across West Africa and beyond. It is designed as a strategic platform to shape the economic future of the sub-region through enhanced regional cooperation and economic integration.
“Sustainable development, peace, and prosperity in West Africa are best achieved through enhanced regional cooperation and economic integration. WAES 2025 reflects this conviction,” Tuggar said.
Key Focus Areas
WAES 2025 will address critical issues including:
- Cross-border trade and logistics
- Regional macroeconomic stability
- Value chain development
- Strengthened institutional cooperation, peace, and governance
The summit aims to create a harmonised trade policy framework to eliminate barriers to intra-African commerce and investment. It will also mobilise resources for critical infrastructure, energy, and logistics, improve the free movement of goods and people, and promote inclusive economic growth—particularly empowering women, youth, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Summit Highlights
- Presidential Roundtable and CEO Forum: A high-level dialogue between Heads of State and business leaders culminating in a Joint Communiqué outlining shared regional priorities and actionable plans.
- WAES Deal Room: A platform for Business-to-Government (B2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions aimed at securing landmark investment deals across sectors such as infrastructure, agribusiness, renewable energy, and digital finance.
- West Africa Business Expo: Featuring over 100 investment-ready SMEs and regional development projects to foster cross-border business linkages and reinforce the private sector’s role in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- Youth and Cultural Empowerment Series: Including the West Africa Art Exhibition, Innovation Pitch, and Youth Leadership Panels to showcase the region’s creative energy and youth ingenuity.
Nigeria’s Commitment
WAES 2025 reaffirms Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to the ECOWAS vision of a borderless, peaceful, and economically integrated West Africa. It aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the goals of the AfCFTA, positioning Nigeria as a leader in driving regional economic integration and sustainable development.
Minister Tuggar extended an invitation to regional leaders, continental institutions, investors, and civil society to participate in what is expected to be a landmark event for West Africa’s economic future.
