President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today, Saturday, August 4, host the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The summit, now in its second and final day, sets the tone for the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. The ECOWAS summit will follow shortly at the State House Conference Centre, also in Abuja.
WAES is a new initiative introduced by President Tinubu in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority. It is the first of its kind and aims to strengthen economic ties among West African nations.
The summit seeks to enhance regional trade, attract investment, and promote sustainable economic cooperation across member states. It also sets the stage for a unified approach to development, peace, and security.
Top West African Leaders Confirm Attendance
Presidents from eight West African countries have confirmed their attendance. These include leaders from Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, The Gambia, Benin, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau.
They are expected to engage in high-level discussions and endorse key outcomes that will fast-track West Africa’s integration agenda.
Key Stakeholders and Economic Institutions Present
Ministers of Finance, Trade, Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs from ECOWAS member states are also attending. Major regional and continental economic bodies will participate, including:
West African Monetary Agency (WAMA)
West African Monetary Institute (WAMI)
ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID)
West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA)
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat
Private sector leaders, development partners, and policy experts are contributing to the summit with strategic insights.
Outreach to Sahelian States and Mauritania
In a move to foster broader dialogue, President Tinubu extended special invitations to countries in the Alliance of Sahelian States and to Mauritania. The goal is to promote unity and inclusive regional growth.
Ahead of the summit, the president dispatched a team of Special Envoys to deliver formal invitations across the region. The delegation was led by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
A Step Toward a Stronger West Africa
WAES is expected to produce tangible results and policy frameworks that support long-term regional peace, security, and shared prosperity. The outcomes of this summit will help lay the foundation for deeper economic integration and collaboration among West African nations.
