Chidimma Uchegbu – Abuja
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed that as part of the ongoing diplomatic shuttle to West African Countries to invite their Presidents to the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit taking place from June 20-21, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, the Special Envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) and the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Ambassador and her delegation visited The Gambia and Senegal.
This was contained in a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs which reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that as part of the ongoing diplomatic shuttle to West African Countries to invite their Presidents to the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit taking place from June 20 -21, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, that the Special Envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) and Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and members of her delegation met with the President of The Gambia, His Excellency, Adama Barrow and presented Mr. President’s Official Invitation Letter on Wednesday 11th June 2025 in the Capital City, Banjul.
“The presentation was preceded by a very warm reception, accorded the Special Envoy and her team.
“On receiving the invitation from the Special Envoy, the Gambian President thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the proactive and timely initiative in organizing a regional summit where West African leaders and the key stakeholders from various sectors in the region will assemble to discuss intra-regional trade and investment.
He observed that global reality no longer supports donor-recipient relations, given the glaring donor fatigue posturing by the West. The Gambia leader also opined that to him, there is no better time than now for the region to embrace intra-regional cooperation and partnership.
“President Barrow expressed his commitment to The Gambia’s active participation at what he considered as a historic gathering that promises to bring a turnaround in the quest for regional integration in Africa.
“The Special envoy and her team also visited Dakar, Senegal on Tuesday, 10th June 2025 to deliver the special invitation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Senegalese Leader and were received by a high-ranking official of the Government.
“The West Africa Economic Summit is a legacy project and initiative under the auspices of President Tinubu, who is the chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States.
“The Ministry wishes to buttress the fact that the highly anticipated West Africa Economic Summit which will have in attendance Heads of State from the sub-region and an array of business leaders, heads of global institutions and financial experts is expected to create a platform for sustainable economic development and integration”, it also added.
