WAES designed to shape economic future of West Africa region -Tuggar

Nigerian Foreign Minister, Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has said the West Africa Economic Summit billed to hold in Abuja between June 20 and 21 would shape the economic future of the sub region.

Tuggar who made this known Monday at a media parley in Abuja said the regional gathering, themed “West Africa Economic Summit: Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region,” was designed to serve as a strategic platform for shaping the economic future of our sub-region.

According to Tuggar, “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. “Economic integration requires the active partnership of the private sector and cannot be exclusively state-centric. WAES 2025 reflects this conviction” he said.

Speaking on strategic objectives of the summit, he said WAES 2025 was 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.

 He stated the summit would feature: 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, including infrastructure, agribusiness, renewable energy, and digital finance, West Africa Business Expo: An exhibition of over 100 investment-ready SMEs and regional development projects, fostering cross-border business linkages and reinforcing the role of the private sector in advancing the AfCFTA.

Continuing, he said the Youth and Cultural Empowerment Series would feature events such as the West Africa Art Exhibition, Innovation Pitch, and Youth Leadership Panels, that would showcase region’s rich creative energy and the ingenuity of our youth.