WAES 2025: Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Sets Vision for a United, Prosperous West Africa at Pre-Summit Media Parley
Abuja, Nigeria – June 16, 2025
In the lead-up to the West Africa Economic Summit 2025 (WAES), Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, addressed media stakeholders today at a special Pre-WAES press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his remarks, the Minister unveiled the strategic vision of WAES 2025, themed “Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region.” He described the summit as a high-level regional gathering that will bring together Heads of State, Ministers, business leaders, development partners, and youth innovators from across West Africa and beyond.
According to Tuggar, “WAES 2025 is designed to serve as a strategic platform for shaping the economic future of our sub-region,” emphasising the importance of regional collaboration in achieving long-term peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
Highlighting the government’s commitment, the Minister stressed that economic integration in West Africa cannot be state-centric alone. “We recognise that the private sector is a key driver in this process. WAES 2025 reflects this conviction,” he stated.
Key Objectives of WAES 2025
The Minister outlined the core goals of the summit, which include:
Establishing a harmonised trade policy framework to dismantle barriers to intra-African commerce and investment.
Mobilising capital for infrastructure, energy, and logistics to boost regional connectivity.
Promoting inclusive economic growth with special focus on women, youth, and SMEs.
Enhancing West Africa’s resilience through innovation, institutional reforms, and strategic global partnerships.
Summit Highlights and Components
Amb. Tuggar detailed key events to expect at the summit:
Presidential Roundtable and CEO Forum – a high-level dialogue between Heads of State and private sector leaders, leading to a Joint Communiqué articulating regional priorities.
The WAES Deal Room – a marketplace for B2G and B2B transactions aimed at securing significant investment deals in sectors such as infrastructure, agribusiness, renewable energy, and digital finance.
West Africa Business Expo – a showcase of over 100 SMEs and investment-ready projects, reinforcing private sector involvement in driving the AfCFTA agenda.
Creative and Youth-Led Events – including the West Africa Art Exhibition, Innovation Pitch, and Youth Leadership Panels to celebrate the region’s talent and innovation.
Ambassador Tuggar extended a formal invitation to leaders, development institutions, private investors, and civil society organisations to attend the summit in Abuja, describing it as a “landmark moment in West Africa’s economic evolution.”
He concluded, “Together, through WAES 2025, we take deliberate steps toward a prosperous, united, and globally competitive West Africa.”
The summit is scheduled to take place on June 20–21 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
