President Bola Tinubu is spearheading efforts to boost regional integration as he hosts the West Africa Economic Summit today, Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The summit, an initiative of President Tinubu in his role as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, marks a bold step toward strengthening trade and investment across West Africa.
“WAES is the first of its kind and is convened to deepen regional economic integration,” said Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “Its strong focus is on enhancing trade and investment cooperation across the subregion.”
The high-level gathering comes ahead of the 67th Ordinary Summit of ECOWAS, set for Sunday at the State House Conference Centre.
Tinubu’s administration has extended invitations to the Alliance of Sahelian States and Mauritania, aiming for an inclusive dialogue. “This demonstrates his commitment to inclusive dialogue and regional cooperation,” Onanuga added.
Presidents of Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, The Gambia, Benin, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau are among the confirmed attendees. Finance, Trade, Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs Ministers from ECOWAS Member States, as well as top officials from regional economic bodies, are also participating.
The summit is expected to deliver “concrete outcomes and deliverables to fast-track West Africa’s integration agenda as a critical foundation for sustainable peace, security, and prosperity in the region,” the presidency stated.
Ahead of the gathering, the President dispatched a team of Special Envoys led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu to personally deliver invitations across the region.
